Carlos Alcaraz skips another big event as questions grow over his comeback
ATPMonday, 17 August 2026 at 21:00
While Carlos Alcaraz races to get through his training sessions and be ready for the US Open, something that had been expected has now been confirmed: the Spaniard will not play the Davis Cup Qualifiers with Spain in September.
The seven-time major champion has once again opted to miss the Davis Cup qualifiers, as he did in 2025, and will trust his teammates to secure the win that would send them to the Davis Cup Finals. Rafael Jodar will be tasked with leading the Spaniards in his first appearance in the senior national team competition.
The lineups for most of the teams competing in the qualifiers were confirmed today, with seven remaining spots at the Davis Cup Finals up for grabs. Spain will face a difficult challenge against Chile, with the tie taking place on clay courts in the week following the US Open.
The Spaniards will also be without Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who has reportedly had disagreements with team captain David Ferrer since last year. Spain will therefore rely on its young players, with Jodar, Daniel Merida and Martin Landaluce leading a team that is strong in terms of ranking but could lack the experience needed for difficult circumstances.}
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Alcaraz has his eyes on the US Open
Alcaraz has his attention fully focused on his recovery ahead of the US Open. Although his return had been expected earlier during the hardcourt swing, he successively withdrew from the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open, leaving him with virtually no competitive match time before the US Open.
In the best-case scenario, there has been speculation about a possible wildcard for the mixed doubles, which will be played during the Fan Week before the main draw. Otherwise, Alcaraz will arrive at the main draw to defend his title without any competitive matches beforehand, if he opts to play the tournament.
There are still doubts over whether Alcaraz will be 100% ready to handle the demands of a long tournament featuring best-of-five-set matches and two weeks of competition. Although he has looked strong in training, with some recent videos showing the Spaniard at a good level, and recently trained with Holger Rune in Murcia, there are still more questions than answers surrounding his physical condition.
Tres horas de entrenamiento bajo el intenso calor de Murcia. Buena prueba para Carlos Alcaraz con Holger Rune.
— Germán R. Abril (@gerebit0) August 17, 2026
¡Qué ganas de volver a verlos compitiendo en una pista de tenis! pic.twitter.com/WPGvrc364w
Spain faces tough Davis Cup test without Alcaraz
Even if Alcaraz is ready for the US Open, he has opted not to be part of Spain's Davis Cup team on this occasion. It will be a crucial tie between Spain and Chile on September 19 and 20, one week after the US Open final, with the Spaniards having to travel to South America for the challenge.
The winner will qualify for the Davis Cup Finals. Chile has opted to take the tie to clay courts at altitude in Santiago, with conditions similar, for example, to those at the Madrid Open. Although the Spaniards are renowned for their ability on clay, just like the South Americans, the lack of time to adapt could prove costly.
Without their main star Alcaraz or Spain's No. 3 Davidovich Fokina, the team's leadership will fall on Rafael Jodar (No. 11). The 19-year-old will look to arrive in good form in South America for the tie, which will mark his first call-up to Spain's senior Davis Cup team.
David Ferrer has opted for a particularly young team this time, with Daniel Merida and Martin Landaluce also taking leading roles. Experience will come from Jaume Munar and Pedro Martinez, with a Spanish team that, despite two important absences, still looks like the favorite for the tie.
Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez configure their tactics at Davis Cup Finals
However, they will not have it easy against Chile. South American teams are particularly strong at home, and Chile will be led by Alejandro Tabilo, an established top-30 player and an uncomfortable opponent for anyone. Although Nicolas Jarry will not be available this time, having been absent during the past year, former world No. 17 Cristian Garin is another dangerous addition to the Chilean team.
It will undoubtedly be one of the ties attracting the most attention in the qualifiers, as Chile, captained by two-time Olympic gold medalist Nicolas Massu, will look to cause an upset against Spain by taking advantage of Alcaraz's absence.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, is expected to travel back to Europe quickly once the US Open is over. He is committed to the Laver Cup, which takes place one week after the Davis Cup ties, while Jodar is also expected to be there. The teenager faces a packed September schedule, travelling from the USA to South America, then back to Europe for his first appearance at the Laver Cup before heading to the Asian swing at the end of the month.
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Spain vs. Chile — Davis Cup Qualifiers
| Spain | ATP Ranking | Chile | ATP Ranking |
| Rafael Jodar | No. 11 | Alejandro Tabilo | No. 29 |
| Daniel Merida | No. 40 | Cristian Garin | No. 137 |
| Jaume Munar | No. 46 | Tomas Barrios Vera | No. 147 |
| Martin Landaluce | No. 67 | Matias Soto | No. 262 |
| Pedro Martinez | No. 151 | ||
| David Ferrer | Captain | Nicolas Massu | Captain |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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