Rafael Nadal's uncle Toni believes one person's absence was "significant" in Spain not winning Davis Cup, and it is not Carlos Alcaraz

Rafael Nadal's uncle Toni has refused to hold Carlos Alcaraz accountable for Spain's loss to Italy in the final of the 2025 Davis Cup. Instead, the 64-year-old suggested that the Spanish contingent would have had a much better chance of getting their hands on the trophy had Alejandro Davidovich Fokina been a part of the team. Davidovich Fokina though, was excluded by captain David Ferrer based on some controversial developments.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning World No. 1, withdrew from Spain's Davis Cup team in the aftermath of his runner-up finish at the year-end ATP Finals. The six-time Major champion cited a right hamstring edema as the reason for his withdrawal, dealing a significant blow to the Spanish contingent's title chances in Bologna.

Meanwhile, as explained by Ferrer himself in November, Davidovich Fokina, the Spanish No. 2, withdrew from his country's Davis Cup qualifying ties against Switzerland and Denmark earlier this year due to physical and mental burnout. This led to the Spain captain not considering the man from Malaga at all for the Finals, fearing he'd withdraw again.

Ferrer also revealed that he had a rather awkward conversation with Davidovich Fokina when he told the World No. 14 that he would be open to keeping 'a fifth spot open' for him depending on the availability of players at the end of the 2025 tennis season. The 26-year-old, as per Ferrer, refused to be considered just an option and rejected the opportunity to participate even if he was called up at the last minute.

More recently, Toni Nadal, who coached his legendary nephew Rafael to 16 of his 22 Major titles, was critical of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina's position with respect to his availability for Spain's 2025 Davis Cup Finals team. The veteran coach though, lauded the efforts of the Spanish contingent in Bologna for their run to the final despite Carlos Alcaraz and Davidovich Fokina's absence.

"Davidovich's absence has probably been significant, but I think it's solely attributable to him for not wanting to give himself the opportunity to contribute to what could have been the greatest success of his career," Toni Nadal wrote in a column for 'El Pais'.

"Despite the absence of the two best players in our country, I think the members of our team can return home with their heads held high for their tireless effort and determination," he added.

"I deserved to be among the four best players" - What Alejandro Davidovich Fokina said after being snubbed for Spain's Davis Cup Finals lineup featuring Carlos Alcaraz

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the 2025 Hamburg Open (Source: Getty)

David Ferrer only opened up about his side of things in Alejandro Davidovich Fokina's controversial exclusion from Spain's 2025 Davis Cup Finals team after the World No. 14 questioned the Spanish captain's decision-making. Speaking to Marca in October, when he was ranked 18th in the world in men's singles, the 26-year-old said while respecting Carlos Alcaraz and the others who made the cut:

"Being ranked 18th in the world, I think I deserved to be among the four best players in my country, with all due respect to my teammates, who, as I said, are also great players. Now, my goal is to focus on the rest of the season and prepare myself to reach the highest level next year."

Ferrer though, while explaining his side of things, maintained that he is open to picking Davidovich Fokina for Spain in the Davis Cup in 2026. The Spain captain, in the aftermath of his country's loss to Italy in the final of this year's edition of the men's international team tennis event, also suggested that the team wasn't lacking in anything despite Carlos Alcaraz's absence.