Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Marcel Granollers also dropped out<\/a>, leaving Spain susceptible to a shock defeat against a team sitting 11 spots below them in the Davis Cup rankings.<\/p>\n Denmark will be led by former world number four, Holger Rune<\/a>, in Marbella, who played a vital role in the team\u2019s 3-2 comeback win over Serbia earlier this year.<\/p>\n Reacting to news of Alcaraz\u2019s withdrawal, Rune has suggested whether Denmark are now favorites to qualify for November\u2019s Davis Cup<\/a> Finals.<\/p>\n Holger Rune insists Spain are still the favorites despite Carlos Alcaraz\u2019s withdrawal<\/p>\n Speaking to Marca<\/a>, Rune previewed Denmark\u2019s Davis Cup tie with Spain.<\/p>\n \u201cFor sure, Spain is the favorite when you look at the ranking, but again, I\u2019m higher ranked than the Spanish players now, but it\u2019s their home court, the pressure is on them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to it, there\u2019s going to be big battles, obviously, playing away is more difficult. But it\u2019s going to be a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n Of the nine players competing in Marbella, Rune is the highest-ranked, currently residing as the 11th-best player on the ATP Tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n PlayerTeamRankHolger RuneDenmark11Jaume MunarSpain37Pedro MartinezSpain67Roberto Carballes BaenaSpain109Elmer MollerDenmark113Pablo Carreno BustaSpain123Johannes IngildsenDenmark125 (doubles)August HolmgrenDenmark173Christian SigsgaardDenmark509Top-ranked players in Spain vs Denmark tie<\/p>\n Overall, Spain still look like the stronger side, with the likes of Pablo Carreno Busta and Roberto Carballes Baena providing some much-needed experience.<\/p>\n Rune then shared whether he was disappointed to miss out on a chance to play Alcaraz<\/a> again.<\/p>\n \u201cIf that was the match, it would\u2019ve been great, we have nice battles always,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut at the same time, it\u2019s not just about me and [Carlos] Alcaraz, it\u2019s about the team Denmark vs Spain, which is more important.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not just enough to win one match; you need three matches, so it has to be consistent work and a team effort.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025 Barcelona Open F \u2013 Holger Rune defeated Carlos Alcaraz, 7-6, 6-22023 Wimbledon QF \u2013 Carlos Alcaraz defeated Holger Rune, 7-6, 6-4, 6-42022 Paris Masters QF \u2013 Holger Rune defeated Carlos Alcaraz, 6-3, 6-6 (RET)2021 Next Gen Finals RR \u2013 Carlos Alcaraz defeated Holger Rune, 4-3, 4-2, 4-0<\/p>\n Perhaps we will see the pair face off later this year, but for now, Rune will focus on playing Alcaraz\u2019s countryman, Carreno Busta.<\/p>\n List of matches for Spain vs Denmark<\/p>\n Rune will kick off proceedings against Carreno Busta on Saturday and is expected to return for another singles match on Sunday.<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n 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<\/a> semifinalist Carreno Busta.<\/p>\n MatchWinnerLoserScore2024 Canadian Open \u2013 R32Holger RunePablo Carreno Busta6-1, 6-32022 Canadian Open \u2013 R32Pablo Carreno BustaHolger Rune6-0, 6-32022 Halle Open \u2013 R32Pablo Carreno BustaHolger Rune6-3, 7-62021 Metz \u2013 QFPablo Carreno BustaHolger Rune6-4, 3-6, 6-4Holger Rune and Pablo Carreno Busta\u2019s head-to-head record<\/p>\n![\"Alejandro](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2229301285-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Matthew Stockman\/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Holger](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2235024699-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Angel Martinez\/Getty Images for ITF<\/p>\n
![\"Holger](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2165755535-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Minas Panagiotakis\/Getty Images<\/p>\n