Fritz, Tiafoe, Opelka to Lead U.S. Davis Cup Team, Paul and Shelton Out

By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, September 4, 2025

NEW YORK—A United States Dream Team has undergone reconstruction.

The 2024 US Open finalist Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe will lead the squad with Reilly Opelka and doubles veterans Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek joining the American team after both Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul pulled out.

The U.S. Davis Cup squad will play its second round Qualifying tie vs. Czechia September 12-13th at the Delray Beach Tennis Center in Delray Beach, Florida.

Toronto champion Shelton injured his left shoulder and was forced to retire during his US Open third-round match vs. Adrian Mannarino.

Newly-engaged Paul reached Grand Slam quarterfinals in his first two majors this year then fell in the Wimbledon second round battling both a foot and abdominal injuries. Paul, who spent time in a boot during the summer, returned to action at the US Open where he lost to Alexander Bublik in five grueling sets.

The second round Qualifying competition is a best-of-five match series that will begin with two singles matches starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 12th, then continue with a doubles match and two more singles matches beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 13th.

The first nation between the USA and Czechia to win three out of those five matches wins the Qualifier and will advance to the eight-nation Davis Cup Final 8 to compete for this year’s championship November 18-23 in Bologna, Italy. Tennis Channel will carry coverage in the U.S.