David Ferrer Responds to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s Absence from Davis Cup
Alejandro Davidovich-Fokina has protested against David Ferrer's decision to exclude him from Davis Cup.
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David Ferrer and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (via Punto de Break)
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David Ferrer, the captain of Spain’s Davis Cup team, explained the decision to exclude Alejandro Davidovich Fokina from this year’s Finals. The announcement came as a surprise since Fokina is ranked World No. 14 and is Spain’s second-highest player after Carlos Alcaraz, who holds the No. 2 spot.
Despite his high ranking, Ferrer chose not to include Fokina in the final team lineup. The move drew attention because several selected players are ranked below him. Ferrer, a former World No. 3 and finalist at the 2013 French Open, said the choice was based on team needs and strategy. Ferrer said on COPE:
For the Bologna call-up, I decided to select four players, excluding him, out of fear that he would withdraw again at the last minute, as he did before. When he told me again that he wouldn’t play due to physical and mental exhaustion, what could I do?
Spain’s squad will be led by Carlos Alcaraz as the main singles player. Supporting him are Jaume Munar, ranked No. 36, Pablo Carreño Busta at No. 91, and Pedro Martínez at No. 95, all capable singles options.
Completing the five-member team is doubles specialist Marcel Granollers, a former World No. 1 in doubles and currently ranked No. 8. Together, they aim to guide Spain toward victory and bring home the Davis Cup trophy.
Will Spain miss Alejandro Davidovich Fokina?
Only three players in the Davis Cup Finals hold a higher ranking than Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. They are Carlos Alcaraz (No. 2) from Spain, Alexander Zverev (No. 3) from Germany, and Lorenzo Musetti (No. 9) from Italy. This highlights how strong Davidovich’s position is compared to most players in the tournament.
Spain also missed an opportunity to field two Top-20 players, as both Alcaraz and Davidovich could have made a formidable pair. Among all participating nations, only the Czech Republic managed this feat. Their team features Jiří Lehečka (No. 17) and Jakub Menšík (No. 19), both ranked inside the Top 20.
The Czech team will, in fact, be Spain’s direct opponent in the group stage. Their strong line-up makes them a serious challenge for the Spanish side.
To advance, Spain must rely not only on Alcaraz’s leadership and experience as a six-time major champion but also on consistent performances from the second singles and the doubles matches.
Carlos Alcaraz hopes to tick one more box at the end of the season
Carlos Alcaraz has already built an impressive record at a young age. He owns six Grand Slam titles—three of the four majors—and eight Masters 1000 trophies. Yet, he now has a chance to achieve something his idol, Rafael Nadal, has done many times before: lead Spain to victory in the Davis Cup.
Spain has a rich history in the tournament, with several legends contributing to its success. Beyond Nadal, players like David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Feliciano López have all delivered memorable performances. Alcaraz, alongside a new wave of talent, has the opportunity to continue that legacy.
This season has already been the best of his career. He captured two Grand Slam titles, added three Masters 1000 trophies, and reclaimed the World No. 1 ranking. Winning the Davis Cup would make this remarkable year even more historic for Alcaraz, as he aims to lead Spain back to the top of world tennis.
Also Read: Jasmine Paolini Hopes to Improve on her Game after Aryna Sabalenka’s Demolition at the WTA Finals
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