Carlos Alcaraz thinks he’s got a fix for tennis’s Davis Cup problem. The 22-year-old Spanish star has watched top players like Jannik Sinner skip the team event, and he believes there’s a better way to run things.
This year’s finals are happening in Bologna from November 18th to 23rd. Italian fans who bought tickets were probably expecting to see their biggest tennis star in action.
That’s not happening anymore.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Alcaraz | 22 | 68,791 | 25 - 5 |
Sinner pulled out of the Davis Cup Finals, saying he wanted an extra week to prepare for his shot at a third straight Australian Open title in January. The four-time Grand Slam champion basically chose rest over representing his country.
It gets worse for Italy. Lorenzo Musetti, their number two player, also withdrew. That’s a massive blow to Italy’s chances of winning back-to-back titles.
Sinner was huge in Italy’s championship runs in 2023 and 2024. Maybe those successes made it easier for him to skip this year – he’s already done his part, right?
Alcaraz, who’s committed to playing for Spain, talked about this mess during a press conference at the 2025 ATP Finals. He wasn’t about to throw Sinner under the bus, though. The tennis schedule is pretty brutal these days.
"I would say it’s normal for them because the season has been so long. They might keep it to have one more week to recover, to do a vacation, to do pre-season, which is understandable. It’s normal."
But Alcaraz has an idea that could change everything.
He thinks the Davis Cup should happen every two or three years instead of annually. Make it more special, like the World Cup in soccer. When something’s rare, players might actually show up.
"They have to do something in this event because I think playing every year is not as good as it might be if you’re playing every two or three years. I think if the tournament is played like every two or every three years, the commitment of the players is going to be even more because it’s unique."
It’s actually a pretty smart idea. But let’s be real – it probably won’t happen anytime soon.
The International Tennis Federation and all the participating countries need that annual revenue. Money talks louder than player burnout in professional sports.
Why Alcaraz Still Loves Playing for Spain
For Alcaraz, representing Spain in the Davis Cup hits different than any regular tournament. The pressure, the teammates, the national pride – you can’t get that feeling anywhere else on tour.
"I think the Davis Cup is one of those tournaments that you’re not used to feeling and playing because you’re playing for your country, you’re playing with your teammates. It’s totally different. I think it’s one of the most privileged things you can do in our sport, representing your country."
Last year’s Davis Cup Finals in Malaga will probably stick with Alcaraz forever. That’s where Rafael Nadal played his final match before retiring.
Unfortunately, it didn’t go like a fairy tale. Botic van de Zandschulp beat Nadal in singles, and then Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers lost their doubles match. Spain was out, and Nadal’s career was over.
Not exactly the send-off anyone wanted for the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
The whole situation shows why Alcaraz’s idea might actually work. When the Davis Cup means something special – like Nadal’s farewell – players and fans care more. Maybe making it less frequent would bring back some of that magic.
Right now, though, tennis is stuck with the current system. Top players will keep skipping, fans will keep getting disappointed, and the Davis Cup will keep feeling like just another tournament on an already packed calendar.
