Today’s 2010 World Group draw threw up the intriguing prospect of the world’s top two clashing in the Davis Cup.

It’s a strange quirk of the Davis Cup that the following year’s draw is done before the current competition is completed. This system means that the champions then have no protection in round one the following year and many times the current holders have fallen foul at the first hurdle within months of winning the trophy.

If Spain do go on and beat the Czech Republic in December, there is a very real prospect of them suffering that fate. They have been drawn against Roger Federer’s Switzerland, a tie which will take place in March 2010 on clay in Spain.

This throws up the thrilling prospect of Federer and Nadal playing one of the reverse singles rubbers on the Sunday with the outcome of the tie resting on it. With Federer desperate to win the Davis Cup for the first time and the patriotic Nadal who always gives everything for his country, it already has the elements of a classic.

But will Federer play ?  While Nadal has been a permanent feature of the Spanish side for the past five years, Federer has dipped in and out of the competition, picking and choosing his ties. However if he is going to win the competition the time is now. He’s at his peak, Stanislas Wawrinka is playing as well as he ever has done.

Having won the French Open now, he does not have to worry quite so much about giving Nadal any little psychological advantages ahead of the clay court season.  For the sake of the Davis Cup and tennis fans worldwide, lets hope that both these giants of the game decide to go head-to-head.