The Spanish team of Davis Cup faces a relevant change for the qualifying playoff in September against Chile. David Ferrer, national coach, will announce next week a call-up marked by two significant absences: Carlos Alcaraz and Alejandro Davidovich.
Both are part of the group of Spanish tennis players with the best ranking, but both are dealing with physical problems that have already prevented them from starting the American hard court tour normally. Their absence modifies Spain's plan for a tie that will take place from September 18 to 20 and will grant access to the finals in Bologna, scheduled from November 24 to 29.
Alcaraz still pending to reappear
In the case of Carlos Alcaraz, the Murcian has not yet reappeared after the injury to his right wrist that he suffered on April 14 during his debut at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell against Otto Virtanen.
Alcaraz's first objective was to return at the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati, but his schedule has shifted again and now the focus is on the US Open. The last Grand Slam of the season begins on August 30 at the Flushing Meadows courts, a priority event for the number one Spanish player before taking on team commitments.
Davidovich also looks to New York
Alejandro Davidovich will also not be in the call-up. The Malagueño felt discomfort in his back during his participation in Umag and has not competed since then.
After withdrawing from Estoril, Montreal, and Cincinnati, his plan also includes reappearing in New York. Davidovich's priority is to regain sensations and arrive in good condition for the US Open, which leaves Spain without another of its main names for the September tie.
Rafa Jódar, leader of the Armada
The big news will be Rafa Jódar, called to assume the leadership of the Armada in the confrontation against Chile. The Madrileño, one of the great sensations of world tennis in 2026, appears virtually as the number thirteen in the ranking and arrives at a moment of accelerated growth.
Jódar will debut in the highest competition for countries just in the week he turns 20 years old. He was born on September 17, 2006 and his emergence has come accompanied by significant results, such as the final in Washington and the quarter-finals in Montreal.
A debut of maximum responsibility
The debut of Jódar in the Davis Cup will not be minor. Without Alcaraz or Davidovich, Spain will need the young man from Madrid to translate his good moment into points in a demanding tie, away from home and against a rival that will have the home court advantage.
The confrontation will take place at the Central Anita Lizana, a venue with symbolic significance for Chilean tennis and where the Spanish team will have to compete with a lineup younger than usual. For Jódar, it will be a test of maturity and an opportunity to confirm that his leap in the circuit can also be transferred to team competition.
Landaluce and Mérida, the future of Spain
Alongside Jódar will be two other names expected to have weight in the future of Spanish tennis: Martín Landaluce and Dani Mérida.
In the case of Mérida, the call-up comes at the best moment of his career. The Spaniard comes from winning the title in Umag and reaching the round of 16 in Montreal, results that have strengthened his candidacy to enter the national team. It will also be his debut with the Spain jersey in the Davis Cup.
Munar and Pedro Martínez, doubles pair
The list will be completed by Jaume Munar and Pedro Martínez, who are set to form the doubles pair. Both already played together last season, with victories against the pairs from Switzerland and Denmark, an experience that could prove decisive in an away tie.
The doubles will be one of the keys to the match against Chile, especially if the singles are tied. Ferrer thus bets on a pair with experience and on a block where youth, projection, and players capable of handling high-pressure matches coexist.
A Spain without its two great references
The absence of Alcaraz and Davidovich changes the profile of the Spanish team. Without two of its three best-ranked tennis players, Ferrer will have to build a less recognizable team for the general public, but with names that are going through a moment of growth and that can mark the generational shift.
The tie against Chile thus becomes a sporting test and also a showcase for the new generation. Jódar, Landaluce, and Mérida arrive as part of the future of Spanish tennis, but in September they will have to respond in the present.
The ticket to Bologna, at stake
Spain will play against Chile for a spot in the finals of Bologna, where the title of the Davis Cup will be decided between November 24 and 29. The path will not be easy: the tie comes after an American tour conditioned by injuries and with a Spanish team forced to regroup.
Ferrer will officially announce the call-up next week, but the scenario is practically drawn: without Alcaraz or Davidovich, with Rafa Jódar as the unexpected leader and with a young generation called to support Spain in a key appointment to stay alive in the Davis Cup.