Alex Knaff Ready to Lead Luxembourg in Davis Cup Tie Against Chile

From Saturday 13 to Sunday 14 September 2025, the SEAT Luxembourg Davis Cup Team will face Chile in a World Group I tie at the Parque Deportivo Estadio Nacional in Santiago de Chile.

Leading the Grand Duchy team will be Alex Knaff (ATP ranking #662), who steps into the number one position in the absence of Chris Rodesch. He will be joined by Aaron Gil Garcia (ATP ranking #1461), Raphael Calzi (ATP ranking #1667) and two debutants: 26-year-old Louis Van Herck (ATP ranking #1350) and 17-year-old Metti Reiter.

Since Saturday 6 September 2025, the Luxembourg team, under the leadership of captain Gilles Muller, has been in Chile preparing for the tie. The hosts competed in the Davis Cup Qualifiers First Round in February 2025, where they lost 1-3 away to Belgium. Luxembourg, meanwhile, secured their place in World Group I by defeating Lithuania 3-1. The winner of this weekend’s tie will progress to the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers, whilst the losing nation will compete in the 2026 World Group I Play-offs.

Chronicle.lu spoke to Alex Knaff, who acknowledged the absence of Chris Rodesch as a major blow for the team: "It's obviously a big loss for us. He's been very important since he joined the team and has been playing really well, so it's a shame for us. It's also difficult for him personally as he's been struggling with an injury and missing a lot of tournaments.” He added: "We'll have to do without him this time and hopefully next time we will be able to have a complete team."

Reflecting on his role in leading the squad, Knaff stated: "For me it's an honour to be a leader of this team alongside the captain. I've been part of the team for many years now and I know what it takes to compete at this level and to win big matches. I hope I can take on that role and show the newer guys what it means to represent Luxembourg and the Davis Cup, both on and off the court."

On the conditions in Santiago, Knaff described: "The court here is really nice. It's a big centre court with about five to six thousand places for spectators. We'll have to be ready for a big home crowd, which is never easy, but I think it's going to be a great challenge. Playing in South America, with such passionate people, is something I'm looking forward to."

Assessing the tie, Knaff recognised Chile’s strength: "On paper they're big favourites, even with some players missing. We're just going to have to give our best and take it match by match.” He added: "For the newer guys, it's important to fight, to give everything, to see the intensity and to take in the atmosphere of the Davis Cup. I think we can grow as a team, whatever the result this week.”

Matches will take place on clay at the Parque Deportivo Estadio Nacional, starting on Saturday at 17:00 local time (23:00 Luxembourg time) and continuing on Sunday at 16:00 local time (22:00 Luxembourg time).