Barcelona, Dec 18 (DPA) There will be no change at the top of the spectacularly successful Spanish Davis Cup team after captain Albert Costa confirmed he will remain in the job.
The 2002 French Open champion will now try and follow up a breakthrough first year in which he led the Rafael Nadal-Fernando Verdasco side to a fourth trophy of the decade in the international team competition.
All details were worked out satisfactorily as the Spanish federation extended his contract less than a fortnight after the sweeping finals victory over the Czech Republic.
“Being captain is difficult but it’s also an honour. With plenty of people ready to take over this job, I’m very grateful the confidence in me has been renewed,” Costa said on the federation website Thursday.
Spain’s title defence will begin March 5-7 at home against the Switzerland of Roger Federer.
But there are no certainties that either world No. 1 Federer or No. 2 Nadal will be in the lineup – presumably on clay – with the tie falling in the middle of a crucial hardcourt swing on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
rounak