Carlos
Alcaraz has sent a message announcing that he won't be participating in the
Davis Cup in order to rest amidst a challenging schedule.
The Spanish
tennis player has competed in 14 matches over the last 4 weeks, spending more
than 35 hours on the court and contesting 43 sets. This includes 6 matches in
the US Open in the last 10 days, where he reached the semifinals before falling
to Daniil Medvedev by a score of 7-6(3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
Alcaraz was
a key figure in David Ferrer's call-up to play in this week's Davis Cup in the
city of Valencia. The Spanish team will face Serbia, South Korea, and the Czech
Republic in their quest for qualification to the final stage of the tournament.
Through
social media, Alcaraz communicated to the fans that he won't be available for
the competition as he needs to rest following a strenuous hardcourt swing and
the tightly packed ATP calendar:
"I was
very excited to play Davis Cup for Spain in Valencia, but I have to listen to
my body after a very long tour. I need to stop and rest, physically and
mentally."
"The
calendar is very demanding, there is still a lot of season left, and now I have
to recharge my batteries. Good luck to the Spanish team! I will be supporting
you strongly! Come on," wrote Alcaraz in his statement.
Two-time
Grand Slam champion Alcaraz had a previous experience of overexertion while
playing Davis Cup, as last year he traveled directly from the United States to
Valencia after winning the US Open and suffered an abdominal tear that
sidelined him in Paris Bercy and the ATP Finals.
The Spanish
team now includes Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Roberto Bautista Agut, Marcel
Granollers, and Bernabé Zapata Miralles. According to reports, the replacement
for 'Carlitos' will be world No. 1, Albert Ramos Vinolas, who is currently
ranked 88th in the world.
