Massú defines the replacement: Chile prepares its payroll without Jarry while Spain confirms its team for the Davis Cup

Chile has finalized its squad for the upcoming Davis Cup tie against Spain, set to take place at the National Stadium in Santiago from September 19 to 20. The team, led by captain Nicolás Massú, will be missing one of its key players, Nicolás Jarry, due to a persistent elbow injury. Jarry, ranked 768th in the ATP rankings, has been sidelined for several months and will not be part of the roster for this match. The announcement comes after Chile confirmed its list of players, with the focus shifting to younger talent to fill the void left by Jarry’s absence. The Chilean squad will be spearheaded by Alejandro Tabilo, currently ranked 29th in the world. Other names under consideration include Christian Garin (ranked 137th), Tomás Barrios (147th), and Matías Soto (262nd). According to reports from El Deportivo, the final addition to the squad will be Benjamín Pérez, a 17-year-old player ranked 1760th in the ATP rankings. This will mark Pérez's first appearance in a Davis Cup squad of this level. He previously served as a sparring partner for the national team before the end of 2025. Massú noted that Jarry’s absence alters one of the usual strategies he employs during the Davis Cup. Jarry had even been considered by Spanish captain David Ferrer when analyzing the upcoming series. Spain, meanwhile, has confirmed its five players for the match. The Spanish team includes Rafa Jódar (11th), Daniel Mérida (40th), Jaume Munar (46th), Martín Landaluce (67th), and Pedro Martínez (148th). The main absentee among the Spanish squad is Carlos Alcaraz, the world number two, who has not played since May due to injury. Jódar will serve as the top-ranked player for Spain and will make his debut in the Davis Cup. At just 19 years old, Jódar has already demonstrated exceptional skill, consistently defeating top-tier opponents and showing potential to reach the top 10. Ferrer praised Jódar’s performance, stating that his current level of play is impressive and beneficial for Spanish tennis. Mérida, too, will have his first experience playing in the official team, having previously acted as a sparring partner during the 2023 tournament in Valencia. He described the opportunity as both exciting and challenging. Ferrer emphasized that the Chilean team presents a formidable challenge, highlighting Tabilo’s consistent performances and his position within the top 40. Garin, despite a less competitive season, remains a threat, as does Barrios, who has shown promise in recent matches. Chile reached this stage after defeating Serbia in the first round of the 2026 Davis Cup, while Spain advanced directly to face Chile following their bye in the initial phase. Both teams are preparing for a high-stakes encounter, with Chile relying on emerging talents and Spain bringing in fresh faces to complement their established lineup. The match promises to be a test of strategy, endurance, and adaptability, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown in Santiago.