Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

‘That Would Be Too Selfish’ – Carlos Alcaraz Withdraws From Davis Cup After 2025 US Open Win

Alcaraz prioritizes rest over Spain’s Davis Cup in Valencia against Denmark.

Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Davis Cup second-round qualifier between Spain and Denmark, scheduled for September 12-13 in Valencia, citing fatigue after his 2025 US Open triumph. The 22-year-old reclaimed the top spot in the ATP rankings on Sunday by defeating Jannik Sinner in the New York final, but he admitted that competing so soon would have been more about himself than the larger picture. Alcaraz has a 5-1 career record at the Davis Cup since debuting in 2022, yet he believes other Spanish players deserve the opportunity more at this stage.

Carlos Alcaraz will not compete in Spain's second round Davis Cup qualifier against Denmark 🙅‍♀️

The US Open champ is still set to compete in Laver Cup San Francisco next week. https://t.co/2fZTO3k7Te
— TENNIS (@Tennis) September 9, 2025

“I feel very bad, but I’m on a very demanding tour, both mentally and physically, with a lot of matches, and I don’t have time to get home and prepare in the best way possible for the Davis Cup,” Alcaraz told Cadena SER. “I think that would be too selfish, and other players can do better than me. I need rest to face the rest of the season and, above all, to be mentally calm to assimilate everything I’ve achieved on this tour.”

Spain Adjusts Lineup as Alcaraz Steps Aside

With Alcaraz and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina out, Team Spain, captained by David Ferrer, has replaced them with Jaume Munar, Roberto Carballes Baena, and Pablo Carreno Busta. Denmark, led by Holger Rune, fields Christian Sigsgaard, August Holmgren, Elmer Moeller, and Johannes Ingildsen.

Update to Team Spain 🇪🇸

Jaume Munar, Roberto Carballés, and Pablo Carreño join David Ferrer's team after Carlos Alcaraz, fresh from winning his second US Open title, and Alejandro Davidovich, due to fatigue, are out. pic.twitter.com/vxnpvcVK2v
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 8, 2025

The withdrawal highlights the physical and mental demands of a packed tour, especially following a Grand Slam victory. Alcaraz had media commitments with US Open women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka immediately after his triumph, further emphasizing the intensity top players face beyond matches.

While Spain loses its significant player for the weekend, Alcaraz’s reasoning reflects a growing awareness among elite players about balancing career milestones with personal well-being. His candid acknowledgment of fatigue and the need to rest underscores maturity, even at the peak of the sport.

New York’s Finest 🏆#USOpen pic.twitter.com/bJwyFOABCb
— wta (@WTA) September 8, 2025

The responsibility now shifts to Munar, Carballes Baena, and Carreno Busta to uphold Spain’s Davis Cup hopes. Alcaraz may sit out Valencia, but his influence on the conversation about player welfare and strategic scheduling continues to resonate.

Mandatory Images Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Carlos Alcaraz

Withdrawal

Rudra Dubey

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.