Rafael Nadal has told tennis stars “the most important thing is health” after Carlos Alcaraz was forced out of the Davis Cup with Covid-19. Reigning champions Spain were already without Nadal and Roberto Bautista Agut when Alcaraz, 18, withdrew after testing positive on the event’s opening day.
He will now remain in isolation, while the rest of the team have all since undergone tests.
The loss of Alcaraz, who reached the US Open quarter-finals in September, represents a huge blow for Spain, but it didn’t prevent them from starting their title defence with a win against Ecuador on Friday.
Feliciano Lopez and Pablo Carreno Busta both won their singles matches, before Carreno Busta and Marcel Granollers prevailed in the doubles to make it 3-0.
Russia play Ecuador in Group A today (Saturday), before the group culminates with Spain v Russia on Monday.
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