Captain showers praise on Alcaraz

Paris, Sept. 13: Spain’s Davis Cup captain Sergi Bruguera has said there are “no words” that can sufficiently describe the scale of Carlos Alcaraz’s achievements, as the teenage sensation prepares for this week’s group phase.

Bruguera’s side will face Serbia, South Korea and Canada in Group B in Valencia, with the top two to progress to the quarterfinals in November.

Rafael Nadal is skipping the event, but Alcaraz will be the star attraction on home soil after becoming the youngest men’s world number one in history with his US Open triumph last weekend.

The 19-year-old came through three successive five-set matches, saving a match point against Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals, before downing Casper Ruud in four sets in a dramatic final.

“We all knew it was going to happen sooner or later,” Bruguera said of Alcaraz’s maiden Grand Slam title.

“But the way he won three matches in five sets is an incredible effort mentally as well as physically. Being the youngest number one in the world — there aren’t any words,” he added.

Spain will play their first tie against Serbia, without 21-time major champion Novak Djokovic, on Wednesday.

“He (Alcaraz) is going to come here on Tuesday and hopefully he can recover in time to play,” added Bruguera.

“What you experience playing Davis Cup is completely different. You play for your country and that’s always special. Tennis is a very individual sport,” Bruguera said, adding, “Playing a competition like this allows you to grow personally. The important thing is to have players in good form and I think I have that.”