Spain will play their Davis Cup qualifying match without three of their best players.
Following Carlos Alcaraz’s win at the US Open, he withdrew from Spain’s Davis Cup team for their qualifying tie against Denmark.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Marcel Granollers also dropped out, leaving Spain susceptible to a shock defeat against a team sitting 11 spots below them in the Davis Cup rankings.
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Denmark will be led by former world number four, Holger Rune, in Marbella, who played a vital role in the team’s 3-2 comeback win over Serbia earlier this year.
Reacting to news of Alcaraz’s withdrawal, Rune has suggested whether Denmark are now favorites to qualify for November’s Davis Cup Finals.
Holger Rune insists Spain are still the favorites despite Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal
Speaking to Marca, Rune previewed Denmark’s Davis Cup tie with Spain.
“For sure, Spain is the favorite when you look at the ranking, but again, I’m higher ranked than the Spanish players now, but it’s their home court, the pressure is on them,” he said.
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images for ITF
“It helps us a little bit [the withdrawals], but again, it was going to be tough no matter what. Spain has good players on their team.
“I’m looking forward to it, there’s going to be big battles, obviously, playing away is more difficult. But it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Of the nine players competing in Marbella, Rune is the highest-ranked, currently residing as the 11th-best player on the ATP Tour.
PlayerTeamRankHolger RuneDenmark11Jaume MunarSpain37Pedro MartinezSpain67Roberto Carballes BaenaSpain109Elmer MollerDenmark113Pablo Carreno BustaSpain123Johannes IngildsenDenmark125 (doubles)August HolmgrenDenmark173Christian SigsgaardDenmark509Top-ranked players in Spain vs Denmark tie
Overall, Spain still look like the stronger side, with the likes of Pablo Carreno Busta and Roberto Carballes Baena providing some much-needed experience.
Rune then shared whether he was disappointed to miss out on a chance to play Alcaraz again.
“If that was the match, it would’ve been great, we have nice battles always,” he said.
“But at the same time, it’s not just about me and [Carlos] Alcaraz, it’s about the team Denmark vs Spain, which is more important.
“It’s not just enough to win one match; you need three matches, so it has to be consistent work and a team effort.”
Rune and Alcaraz are level at 2-2 in their head-to-head, as fans were hoping to see a fifth ATP Tour meeting between the pair at the Davis Cup.
2025 Barcelona Open F – Holger Rune defeated Carlos Alcaraz, 7-6, 6-22023 Wimbledon QF – Carlos Alcaraz defeated Holger Rune, 7-6, 6-4, 6-42022 Paris Masters QF – Holger Rune defeated Carlos Alcaraz, 6-3, 6-6 (RET)2021 Next Gen Finals RR – Carlos Alcaraz defeated Holger Rune, 4-3, 4-2, 4-0
Perhaps we will see the pair face off later this year, but for now, Rune will focus on playing Alcaraz’s countryman, Carreno Busta.
List of matches for Spain vs Denmark
Rune will kick off proceedings against Carreno Busta on Saturday and is expected to return for another singles match on Sunday.
Saturday, September 131. Holger Rune vs Pablo Carreno Busta2. Elmer Moller vs Jaume MunarSunday, September 143. August Holmgren/Johannes Ingildsen vs Jaume Munar/Pedro Martinez4. Holger Rune vs Jaume Munar5. Elmer Moller vs Pablo Carreno Busta
The Danish star has yet to play Jaume Munar on the ATP Tour, but has a worrying 1-3 head-to-head record against two-time US Open semifinalist Carreno Busta.
MatchWinnerLoserScore2024 Canadian Open – R32Holger RunePablo Carreno Busta6-1, 6-32022 Canadian Open – R32Pablo Carreno BustaHolger Rune6-0, 6-32022 Halle Open – R32Pablo Carreno BustaHolger Rune6-3, 7-62021 Metz – QFPablo Carreno BustaHolger Rune6-4, 3-6, 6-4Holger Rune and Pablo Carreno Busta’s head-to-head record
It was Rune, however, who won their most recent encounter, dropping just four games as he secured victory at last year’s Canadian Open.
Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
Only time will tell if he can pick up another win over the Spaniard when they play at the Davis Cup.
Rune and Carreno Busta will contest the first match of Denmark’s Davis Cup tie with Spain on Saturday, September 13.