Are Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin contemplating 2026 Davis Cup participation?

(Getty/Angel Martinez)

In what would be a shock to the Australian Davis Cup team, Alex de Minaur could be considering taking a break from the event in 2026, along with Alexei Popyrin.

A close source has told The First Serve that the Aussie pair are second-guessing whether to commit to Australia's Davis campaign, whether that be for the first two rounds or the full season.

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Speaking on SEN's The First Serve Live, host Brett Phillips shared the strong rumour on air.

"I'm not suggesting to take this to the bank, but there is a strong whisper going around that potentially Alex de Minaur may consider not playing Davis Cup next year, and that Alexei Popyrin might follow suit," Phillips said.

"It's coming from a source that I certainly trust... I'll just leave that there."

On Sunday, Australia was drawn to face Ecuador away from home in February's first round of Davis Cup qualifiers and is expected to play in the capital of Quito, where they will compete at 2,850 metres above sea level.

Popyrin, 26, has only featured in seven matches for his country at Davis Cup level, with a 4-3 win-loss record (57 per cent). The last time he played in the event was group stage qualifying in September 2024.

But the big surprise would be de Minaur sitting out, especially for more than one round of qualifying, having represented Australia in singles 27 times at the Davis Cup, winning 17 of those matches.

The world No.7 has previously stated that Davis Cup "has always been a great passion".

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