It’s a quick return to the game for the new world No. 1 in tennis.
Hours after celebrating his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open, Carlos Alcaraz returned home to try to help Spain in the group stage of the Davis Cup Finals.
“I’m very proud to be here as the No. 1 and to do my part for the team,” Alcaraz said Tuesday. Playing the Davis Cup is always special. It’s a unique atmosphere and I’m looking forward to being with the team.”
Alcaraz arrived in Valencia on the eve of Spain’s debut against Serbia on Wednesday.
It is not yet clear what physical condition Alcaraz is in after playing a grueling series of matches en route to the title in New York.
“I hope he can recover as soon as possible,” said Spanish captain Sergi Bruguera. We don’t know yet if he will be able to play on Wednesday.
Many expected Alcaraz to retire from the Davis Cup after beating Casper Ruud in the U.S. Open final on Sunday, making him the youngest player to top the U.S. Open computerized rankings. ATP since its debut in 1973.
Alcaraz, 19, revealed following the traditional photo op in Times Square on Monday that he was “exhausted when he woke up” after the four-set final against Ruud.
“We will see how he feels, we will discuss it with him, added Bruguera. The sooner he can play, the better.
Heading into the final, Alcaraz had three straight wins in five sets, including a five-hour, 15-minute quarter-final against Jannik Sinner.
“We all knew it would happen sooner or later,” Bruguera said. But the way he won three matches in five sets is an incredible effort, both mentally and physically. To become the youngest world number one, there are no words.”
After facing Serbia, who are without Novak Djokovic, Spain face Canada on Friday and South Korea on Sunday in Group B. The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the quarter-finals. final, which will be played in November in the city of Malaga, Spain.
Alcaraz joined Spain’s Davis Cup squad for the first time last year but had to pull out of the tournament after testing positive for COVID-19 just before the start of the competition.