Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer have been part of several memorable moments of Spain’s Davis Cup title wins, much like they have seen the team lose too.
Ahead of their World Group playoff against India, the star-studded Spaniards didn’t want to be “complacent” despite being the favourites.
Spain boast of the likes of 14-time Grand Slam winner Nadal, world no. 13 Ferrer and the doubles duo of Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez, the 2016 French Open champions.
But Nadal was in no mood to take the hosts lightly. With Spain losing playoffs to relative minnows Brazil and Germany in the past couple of years, the world no. five said they did not want to let go of their chance of returning to the World Group this time around.
Since 2000, Spain have won five Davis Cup titles — the last being in 2011.
“In Davis Cup, special things happen. It had happened in the past, when we lost a couple of confrontations. We believed we were favourites, we were in a good position to win.
“So a lot of respect for all opponents... Indian players. They have a good doubles team. We need to be focused from the beginning,” said Nadal, fresh from a US Open pre-quarter-final exit.
“We hope things change. We have a lot of tradition of tennis back home and a team like Spain should be in the World Group.
“Our immediate target is to return to the World Group. Spain have been out of the World Group for a couple of years and we would like to be back there,” said Nadal, who has been playing Davis Cup since 17.
Ferrer, a three-time Davis Cup champion with Spain, reiterated that the hosts would not be easy opponents. “It will be difficult. We are the favourites by rankings but the conditions are different, a lot of humidity. I will try to give my best.”
‘Advantage to play in evenings’ The evening schedule has drawn a lot of attention, and Feliciano Lopez said it would be an advantage.
“Conditions don’t count every time. We play in places where there’s lot of humidity. And it’s very humid here but the fact that we will play in the evening is an advantage. To play in such conditions will be tough for everyone.”
Spain’s non-playing captain Conchita Martinez, meanwhile, said conditions were tough, but they were ready for the challenge. “It’s very humid and quite hot but we will play at a time when the heat will be down a bit.
“As for our return to the World Group, I don’t think there’s anxiety in the team. We are ready to win this tie and and hopefully we will be back in the World Group. That is our ambition.”
