Spain’s Captain Will Make No Excuses For Davis Cup Defeat

Written by: Staff on 7th February 2013

Spain’s Captain Will Make No Excuses For Davis Cup Defeat

epa03476578 Members of the Spanish Davis Cup team react during the match between Nicolas Almagro of Spain and Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic in Prague, Czech Republic, 18 November 2012. EPA/FILIP SINGER |

Spanish Davis Cup captain Alex Corretja resigned to the fact that his depleted team which lost to Canada in Davis Cup last weekend will now have to contest September relegation round in order to stay in the elite World Group. Spain went down to the hosts with the visitors missing David Ferrer, Rafael Nadal, Nicolas Almagro and Fernando Verdasco, all either injured or fatigued.

Corretja said there is not much he can do about raising a squad among the nation which has dominated the competition for the past decade or more. “Players are on their own to decide if they want to play or want to rest,” Corretja told the Davis Cup website. It’s not like we were underestimating Canada; not at all.

“Our players didn’t come because their calendars are very busy and they chose another option but we have no regrets about the ones who didn’t come or the ones who were here. They were trying to do their best and for us it’s always a big disappointment to go out in the first round.”

Spain won’t know its playoff opponent until zonal ties to be played in April. The Spaniards suffered a first defeat in Davis opening play since losing to Belarus in Minsk in February, 2006.

“When we drew Canada I knew it was going to be difficult for many reasons, especially on this surface,” said Corretja. “Canada did better than us and we need to congratulate them.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Alex Corretja, Canada Davis Cup, David Ferrer, Davis Cup, Fernando Verdasco, Nicolas Almagro, Rafael Nadal, Spanish Davis Cup, Sports