Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Davis Cup Finals with hamstring injury
Carlos Alcaraz will be a bottle blonde in Miami – and hopefully healthy.
The world’s No. 1 tennis player announced on Nov. 18 his withdrawal due to a hamstring injury from this week’s Davis Cup Finals between Spain and the Czech Republic in Italy.
But the six-time Grand Slam title winner staged a 20-minute conference call later in the day to say he hopes to maintain his commitment playing in a back-back indoor exhibition that concludes Dec. 8th at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins.
The first leg is Dec. 7 in Newark’s Prudential Center, facing Frances Tiafoe, who moved to Palm Beach County four years ago. Then he will take on Brazil’s João Fonseca in the inaugural “Miami Invitational.’’
“It’s disappointing not to be able to play to be honest,’’ said Alcaraz, whose Spanish team was facing the same Czech Republic squad that ousted the United States in Delray Beach in September. “I was really looking forward to playing for Spain. The season was really long – high, lows. I’m just getting treatment, feeling a little bit of pain in the hamstring. I’ve been sad but the decision is over.’’
Asked his concerns about being 100 percent for the Newark-Miami events, Alcaraz said he's not worried.
“My body didn’t feel good to compete now but I have (two) more weeks to recover before playing," he said. "I’ll get treatment every day, do exercises to recover for the next two weeks. I’ll do whatever it takes to be ready and focused on recovery and hopefully be good.’’
In winning his second U.S. Open last September, Alcaraz played with a shaved head. The hair has grown back on the 22-year-old but he’s gone blonde.
He was told by players at last week’s season-ending ATP Finals in Italy that “it doesn’t look bad.’’
“I always think it is time to do something different,’’ Alcaraz said. “I’m not going to do experiments about my hair when I am 30 and 35. It’s the right time to do something else.’’
Carlos Alcaraz won two majors in 2025, French Open and US Open
Though he lost to arch rival Jannik Sinner in the ATP Finals, Alcaraz added two majors to his resume in 2025 to claim the No. 1 ranking. He also captured the French Open in a five-set classic over Sinner and routed him with panache in Flushing Meadows in September.
“It’s been a really, really good (year),’’ Alcaraz said. “The beginning of the year I didn’t start as good as I wanted. I hadn’t played my best tennis. I realized what I had to do on and off the court.
“When the clay season started, from Monte Carlo to the end of the year, it was my best tennis I have ever played. I’m really happy how I handled the pressure. I grew up as a player and person. Mentally I am stronger. I got stronger from the losses.’’
The 2026 season kicks off in Australia and he will vie to become the youngest player to win the career Grand Slam, a title in all four majors, at the Australian Open. “Carlito’’ has two French Opens, two Wimbledons and two U.S. Opens.
Alcaraz said being at top form in January has been “tricky.”
“It could be a great accomplishment, really looking forward to winning Australia one day,’’ he said. “Having the record, being the youngest to complete the career Grand Slam, it is something (that) sticks in my mind.’’
First, it’s Newark, then Miami, where he has competed several times in the Miami Open. In fact, he became the youngest Miami Open titlist in 2022 at age 18.
Alcaraz hasn’t won Miami since, including last March when he suffered a second-round ouster to David Goffin at Hard Rock Stadium.
Now he’ll go indoors in a baseball stadium in downtown Miami.
“Miami, for me, is a great city,’’ Alcaraz said. “I love going there every year, even though I didn’t have a good run this year. The energy is special. I love the people there. I love how they treat us as athletes.’’
It’s also a new venue and an opponent that likely will draw a strong coterie of Brazilian fans who flourish in South Florida.
“The crowd’s going to be really loud there,’’ Alcaraz said. “I love playing in different stadiums and places. It will feel a different energy I’m not used to it. It will be great for me to experience something different.’’
Carlos Alcaraz missed Dolphins-Commanders game in Madrid
Alcaraz wasn’t in town for the history-making visit by the Miami Dolphins to Madrid for the first NFL contest in Spain on Nov. 16. The Dolphins edged Washington in overtime 16-13.
“Shame I couldn’t go,’’ Alcaraz said. “I wish I could go – a historic moment for the sport and our country to have American football game in Spain. One thing I have on my list when I’m in the U.S. is to go to an NFL game.’’
Meanwhile, the women’s exhibition will feature Boca Raton resident Jessica Pegula vs. Amanda Ansimova, the Adventura resident who made the finals of the 2025 Wimbledon and U.S. Open tournaments.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Davis Cup Finals will be missing No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz when Spain meets Czechs
