Becker Ducks Davis Cup

Boris Becker will not play for Germany in a first-round Davis Cup match against Spain in February.

His manager, Axel Meyer-Woelden, said Becker’s withdrawal was “related to his health” and the fact that the Feb. 7-9 match will be played on clay, Becker’s least favorite surface.

The announcement took the German Tennis Federation by surprise. The federation has contracts with Becker and Michael Stich that oblige both players to play Davis Cup matches.