Spain competes in the Davis Cup finals group phase in 2023, facing a schedule that places them in Group C. The lineup features top contenders like Novak Djokovic, along with teams from the Czech Republic and the Republic of Korea. The matches are set to take place in Valencia from September 12 to 17, with the aim of securing a place in the Final Eight, which runs November 21 to 26 in Malaga for the champions and runners-up of the four groups.
On the afternoon of the draw, held at Málaga City Hall, the Spanish team led by coach David Ferrer learned their first-round path in the finals. Valencia stands as one of several venues for the event, with Italy hosting Group A matches in Bologna, England staging Group B in Manchester, and a Croatian host city to be confirmed for Group D. The sixteen finalist teams, Spain among them as one of the seeded sides, are divided into four groups of four. The top two teams from each group advance to the last eight, which will take place at the Carpena Sports Palace in Malaga.
In Group A, Canada, the defending champions and top seeds, are led by world number six Felix Auger-Aliassime. Sweden, Chile, and Italy, fronted by Jannik Sinner who will play locally in Bologna, complete the group. Group B features Australia, the runner-up from the previous edition, with second seed status. Alex de Minaur, rated world number 18, is among the Australian contingent that will clash with Britain’s Cameron Norrie, one of the standout players in the area, as well as France and Switzerland in a tightly contested pool.
Group C brings Spain back to face familiar rivals from the last edition: Serbia and South Korea, plus the Czech Republic. Jiri Lehecka, ranked 44th, is highlighted as a notable Czech competitor. The Valencia matches will test whether world number two Novak Djokovic can help Serbia dominate this group and clinch the top spot ahead of the others. That battle promises to add intensity to the early phase of the finals.
Group D is set to feature Croatia, a team with two top-30 players, Borna Coric and Marin Cilic, competing on home soil in a Croatian city yet to be confirmed. The group also includes strong teams from the Balkans and beyond, with the Netherlands, Finland, and the United States in play. Americans like Taylor Fritz, currently world number 10, Frances Tiafoe, at 14, and Tommy Paul are potential game-changers in this group, making it one of the most competitive sections of the draw.
David Ferrer takes the helm as Spain’s captain for the Davis Cup campaign, with his leadership debut awaited during the Valencia group stage from September 12 to 17. The question lingers whether Rafael Nadal, the current world number one, and Carlos Alcaraz might be available to join the squad. After an abdominal injury prevented them from traveling to the Malaga finals, discussions about their participation have been ongoing, pending the players’ fitness and scheduling. Ferrer’s call will be influenced by performances at the early Grand Slam in New York and the coming weeks’ results as the team works toward another strong showing in Malaga. The Davis Cup format keeps the focus on national pride and team depth, with all eyes on the group stage and the ensuing knockout rounds.