Alcaraz and the Davis Cup, between enthusiasm and the thorn in the side

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Not long ago, the 2024 Davis Cup was considered one of those pivotal competitions for any top tennis player. Winning it was a titanic challenge that required blood, sweat, and tears, often in ties on the other side of the world, with a patriotic element that made it truly special. Nothing and everything has changed in recent years, replacing those ties with group stages in neutral venues and Finals where your fans may not always be there to support you.

Nevertheless, the Davis Cup still inspires excitement in many ATP circuit stars. Almost all the legends managed to lift the trophy alongside their country, serving as a turning point in their careers. Just ask Novak Djokovic about the 2010 Davis Cup victory, which paved the way for one of the best individual seasons in tennis history; ask Rafael Nadal about that unforgettable weekend in Seville, where as a minor he conquered Andy Roddick to kick off his legendary journey; ask Roger Federer, who took longer but eventually found the reward for his pursuit with a poetic drop shot against Gasquet, clinching Switzerland's first Davis Cup title.

Like all of them, Carlos Alcaraz also aims to bring glory to his country. As if that weren't enough, the Murcian has an advantage: he is one of the few players who can partially or fully recreate the atmosphere of the old format. Spain would play all ties at home, whether in Valencia or Malaga, and Carlitos is eager to become the hero of an event torn between hope and the thorns of the past. Before his debut tomorrow, facing the newly crowned Czech number one, Tomas Machac, it is worth recounting his journey and some challenging moments experienced in this competition.

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Carlos's relationship with the Davis Cup is still evolving. There have been too many setbacks to establish a perfect bond. The first blow came in 2021 when the Murcian was riding high after his breakthrough at the US Open quarterfinals. His performances on the indoor hard court swing had also been impressive: the youngster was more than ready to contribute in the Finals held in Madrid. However, days before the competition, the worst news arrived: he tested positive for COVID and was ruled out. A significant setback, though he knew there were still many glorious nights ahead in this competition.

The following year saw a format change, with a separate group stage in the Finals calendar, providing Carlos more opportunities to represent Spain. His debut was victorious in the qualification round for the group stage, held in Marbella against an inferior Romania. Alcaraz swiftly defeated Copil (6-4, 6-3) contributing to Spain's qualification. During those months, his true breakthrough occurred: 'ciclón Carlitos' stormed the circuit, won the US Open... and arrived in Valencia with fuel reserves almost depleted. This explains his loss to Felix Augér-Aliassime, although he recovered and defeated Soonwoo Kwon to secure a spot in the Finals, which he unfortunately missed due to injury. Once again, a mix of highs and lows in his performance.

The thorn was far from being removed during the past season. Once again, the Murcian arrived exhausted from the North American hard court swing, opting out of a group stage where Spain suffered a heavy defeat. His first significant moment representing Spain had to wait, and now, after an early exit at the US Open, Alcaraz arrives motivated and fresh to lead a competition in need of stars. With many top names missing (no Russia, Serbia, Norway, or Poland in the group stage; absent Zverev, Sinner, de Miñaur, Musetti, Fritz, Paul, or Korda in national teams), all eyes are on Alcaraz.

In theory, the Davis Cup emerges as the perfect chance to move on from Olympic disappointment. A moment to represent your country in a more relaxed atmosphere, away from the constant media frenzy of the Olympic event, facing challenges where he is the clear favorite. Sinner's performance in Malaga last season can serve as significant encouragement towards the title, allowing Carlos to double his efforts and potentially play doubles matches. One thing we know is that few things motivate the Murcian more than playing for his country, showing clear commitment to this competition in 2024 where he could add a gem to his trophy collection, joining the ranks of tennis legends. Will he achieve it? The first step lies in the next three ties at Fuente de San Luis.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz y la Copa Davis, entre la ilusión y la espina clavada