"We fell together. And we'll get back up together” - Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz send touching tributes to Spanish team after Davis Cup final defeat

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal went to social media to react to their country's disappointing defeat to Italy in the Davis Cup Finals.

The Spanish outfit had successfully navigated themselves into the final after a determined week of tennis. Both their quarter-finals and semi-finals clashes went the distance, and both times they managed to come out on top.

They fought off a very strong Czech Republic team in the last-eight, with Jaume Munar getting the better of Jiri Lehecka after young star Jakub Mensik put his nation ahead after a straight sets triumph over Pablo Carreno Busta. It was up to Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez to get the job done, and they came through a tight contest in flying colours.

Their services were once again called upon in the semi-final against Germany. Carreno Busta had fended off Jan-Lennard Struff to take the advantage, but Munar could not get the better of world number three Alexander Zverev. The doubles tie went to a final set, where in a nerve-wracking spectacle Spain clinched a huge victory. It was their first final since their triumph in 2019.

Italy were the opponents, who despite not fielding their strongest lineup had looked imperious the whole week in Bologna. Matteo Berrettini had not dropped a set in his opening two matchups and continued that pattern against Carreno Busta. It was down to Munar to keep the hopes and dreams alive against Flavio Cobolli. Despite racing out into a commanding one-set lead, the Italian fought back and clinched a crucial break at the end enroute to sealing Italy's third Davis Cup title in a row.

Alcaraz had been in line to represent Spain in the finals. While this would have given them a huge advantage on court with the world number one's form continually ominous, he was forced to pull out of the event due to a minor injury. Despite this, he was still regularly watching his colleagues compete for glory in Bologna.

On his Instagram story, he was very sporting to the champions. “Congrats to Italy for another Davis Cup! Very proud of our people! Amazing!” he wrote. The 22-year-old followed this up with a touching message to his team. “We landed on our feet. We fell together. And we'll get back up together. We'll keep dreaming. We'll be back.”

Someone else watching on was the legendary Nadal. He led Spain to five of their six triumphs in the event, marking a golden age for Spanish tennis. “Awesome week at the @daviscup! Congratulations @davidferrer1982 @munarclar @pablo_carreno_ @marcelgranollers @martinezportero,” he wrote on X.

While this may not have been the ending Spain would have hoped for, the 2026 Davis Cup is already on the horizon. The draw for the qualifying rounds has been made with all signs once again leading to a thrilling last week in Bologna.

Spain have had a handicap in the draw. By reaching the final they are exempt from competing in the first-round of qualifying, being placed in the second-round. At this stage, they will either face Chile or Serbia. The first-round qualifier will be competed from 6-7/7-8 February 2026. Spain will not have to worry about that, with their next focus the second-round which takes place from 18-19/19-20 September 2026. The Finals will then take place from 18th November - 23rd November 2026. 

They will hope to be boosted by the return of Alcaraz for next year's competition, but other teams will also strengthen. Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti look braced for a return to action in next year's finals, making them on paper virtually unstoppable.