‘Playing Spain a learning curve’

India will make a third attempt in as many years to enter the Davis Cup World Group when they play heavyweights Spain this weekend here and non-playing captain Anand Amritraj did not seem a worried man on the day even though he called it the “toughest” draw for India in a decade.

Spain have brought a star-studded squad including 14-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal, world no. 13 David Ferrer and the star doubles pair of Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez.

“Lopez and Lopez are a great team but on a court like this, we have a chance. In doubles, our chances are closer to 50-50 than what we have in the singles. I think that we can beat them in the doubles, no question about that. We have nothing to lose in this tie,” Amritraj said here on Tuesday.

Amritraj though refused to divulge Leander Paes’ doubles partner, saying that he would take a call once the first round of singles matches were over. India’s doubles combination, traditionally a strong point of the hosts, has been dealt a blow by the withdrawal of Rohan Bopanna with a knee injury last week.

“I am waiting to see how the first round of singles goes. Depending on how long and tough the singles matches are for Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan, we will decide at the end of the first day,” he said.

India’s most decorated player Paes termed the tie a learning curve for the hosts, who have young players like Sumit Nagal and Ramkumar.

“It’s a great showcase of tennis in India. If I was a 9, 10, 15-year old budding athlete, I would be packing the stadium, every single day.

“To come and watch a 14-time Grand Slam champion is unbelievable. For me even now, at this stage of my career, where I have played 30 years, you can come out and watch what Rafa does and learn from him,” Paes said.

“You can learn about footwork, about power, shot creation, follow-through, swing, the rituals after the practice.

“Spain to me are one of the most professional teams. He is a great ambassador of the game,” he added.

‘Nobody expecting miracles’

Coach Zeeshan Ali echoed the captain’s thoughts and said, “I think it’s great to have Spain over here. This is probably the toughest team to ever visit India. We hosted the United States back in 1994 who had Todd Martin, but I think the kind of an aura and the legend Rafael Nadal is, that did not happen before this. This is clearly the toughest one of the last three playoffs we had.

“But the young guys are all geared up and excited for this tie. They all know it’s an uphill task. This in a way takes pressure off them as nobody is expecting miracles to happen. Keeping that in mind, they can go out there and play freely,” the 46-year-old coach added.