Moya Would be Good Replacement for Davis Cup Captain Costa if he Decides to Retire

Written by: Staff on 7th December 2011

Moya Would be Good Replacement for Davis Cup Captain Costa if he Decides to Retire

epa02075781 Carlos Moya of Spain sets-up for a backhand slice against Tim Smyczek of the USA at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 11 March 2010. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

With Argentina sacking captain Tito Vazquez after the weekend Davis Cup finals loss to Spain, there could be movement as well in the Iberian camp after Rafael Nadal led the nation to a fifth title in 12 years.

Dpa reported that Carlos Moya could be the man to step in if current boss Albert Costa gives up the job after leading the nation to a pair of Davis Cup titles in three seasons.

While nothing is certain it is already a given that in 2012 Nadal, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez will skip Davis Cup due to a schedule overcrowded already by London Olympic play. That could mean that Costa might not want to carry on.

Moya, the 1998 French Open champion and one-time No. 1, is hesitant to make any remarks, given that he is a good friend of the current captain. “Speaking of this topic makes me uncomfortable,” “Charley” confessed to dpa, “I know there are rumors, but I do not have received anything directly on this from the federation. Albert is one of my best friends.”

The Spanish press is running with the story, with the tabloid Marca tipping Moya to take over.

“The important thing now is if Albert wants to or not as captain. To this we must wait before anything else,” said Moya. “But Spain has enough more than enough players to field a Davis Cup squad.

“We are always the favorites playing at home,” Moya added, with Spain next facing Kazakhstan in Spain in February. “There is a very good team which can be formed.”

On any coach’s short list: world No. 10 Nico Almagro, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Fernando Verdasco and Marcel Granollers in doubles.