David Ferrer Addresses Criticism Over Carlos Alcaraz Skipping Davis Cup but Playing Laver Cup

Carlos Alcaraz skipped Spain’s second-round qualifier match against Chile, which took place from September 19–20. Spain won the tie 4-0. Alcaraz competed at the Laver Cup in London, held from September 25 to 27. And as expected, he faced criticism for choosing the Laver Cup over the Davis Cup.

But Spain’s Davis Cup captain David Ferrer has backed Alcaraz’s decision. Alcaraz and his coach, Samuel Lopez, had already communicated with Ferrer about his absence before the latter submitted the roster on August 17.

I already spoke with Carlos and Samu Lopez, and he was coming off a serious injury, as we all know. So it was a time when I also had to submit the roster. He didn’t know if he’d be able to play, how he’d react to five-set matches. They told me from the start that it was going to be very difficult. I also didn’t want to put pressure on them with that workload. And well, it was normal, it was a risk for them, and I understood that perfectly.

Davis Ferrer told Relevo

Alcaraz’s first tournament after recovering from his wrist injury was the US Open, which he also won as the defending champion. But eventual runner-up Ben Shelton ended his title defense in the quarterfinals.

It’s not easy with the schedule they have. I like them, to be honest, to tell me things clearly. If it’s a yes or a no, you know? And in that respect, Carlos has always been honest with me.

David Ferrer added

Alcaraz will next be competing in the ongoing Japan Open as the defending champion. He will kick off his campaign against Alex Michelsen on October 1.

Tim Henman calls for schedule change after Carlos Alcaraz’s complaints

Carlos Alcaraz wants to take longer breaks in the future by skipping tournaments to avoid injuries. At a press conference during the US Open, the seven-time Grand Slam champion complained about the schedule, saying it doesn’t give much time between tournaments to rest and recover.

Tim Henman has now reacted to the complaints. The former British No.1 urged the tennis bosses to change the 12-day Masters 1000s back to the weeklong format.

I think it’s been pretty well documented that the 12-day Masters 1000s is just too much tennis. That’s too much time on the road, and unfortunately we’re seeing that with the number of players that are injured. I would definitely bring that to eight or nine days, which would free up the calendar. That’s sort of more of a product change.

Tim Henman told Sky Sports

Last year, both the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Masters became 12-day Masters 1000 events. Only the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Paris Masters are played over a one-week span.

Alcaraz, following the Japan Open, will compete at the Shanghai Masters, which he skipped last year due to an ankle injury. The 23-year-old has so far clinched eight Masters 1000s, last winning at the 2025 Cincinnati Masters after receiving a walkover from World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

So far this season, the Murcia native has taken home two titles from three finals, beating Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open and Arthur Fils at the Qatar Open. Sinner stopped him from defending his title in Monte Carlo.

Djokovic and World No.2 Alexander Zverev will play at the China Open, where Sinner is the reigning champion. The five-time Grand Slam champion, however, withdrew due to a knee injury. Zverev will end the season with the most Grand Slam titles, as he clinched the French Open and the US Open. Sinner and Alcaraz won at Wimbledon and Melbourne, respectively.

Also read: Novak Djokovic Reveals Reason Behind Decision to Play China Open After 11 Years: “History of My Results Has Been Incredible”