Spain has solidified its claim on top of the ranks by wiping out the Czech team in the Davis Cup final. Although it has not racked up the number of titles garnered by the US or the Australian teams, with the recent victory against the Czech team the Spaniards have proven that it has become the team to beat.
The Spanish team, led by Rafael Nadal is overflowing with talented players, boasting of nine top 50 singles players on the squad. This year alone six players were able to score live rubbers for the team, including Fernando Verdasco, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Tommy Robredo and Feliciano Lopez, Ferrero and Robredo were not a part of the squad that faced the Czechs, however. The Spanish team is also fortunate to have an excellent number of players that they can call from the bench in case injuries make the other players on the squad unable to compete, especially with the length of the season and the number of injuries that tend to crop up.
The Spanish team is the first team in the Davis Cup to win back to back titles since Sweden in 1998. The team is expected to defend its title against Switzerland, homeland of current number 1 Roger Federer who may just decide to play for his home country later on.
“There are no limits to what this team can achieve,” team captain Albert Costa said of the Spanish squad. “They’re young, there’s a great atmosphere in the camp and they are committed. If they maintain their motivation there could be many more Davis Cups on the way.”