Rafael Nadal has been named in the Spain squad for next month’s Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic.
Unlike some of the top players, Nadal is very committed to the Davis Cup and it’s one of his main goals each year. He first made a name for himself in the competition in 2004, playing a crucial role in Spain’s run to the title that year, defeating Andy Roddick in the final.
He missed last year’s final against Argentina which left Spain as big underdogs before Fernando Verdasco stepped into the limelight and delivered some of the most defining performances of his career to snatch a famous win.
Due to injuries Nadal has also only played one tie so far this year, Spain’s first round win over Serbia. He wasn’t really needed in the semi-final against minnows Israel such is the vast strength in depth the Spanish have.
However the Czechs are a very different proposition with Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek likely to play on all 3 days. They are seeking their first win in the competition since 1980 and the days of Ivan Lendl.
Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez make up the rest of the Spanish side.
The venue, an indoor clay court in Barcelona should favour the Spanish. Berdych and Stepanek are both comfortable on clay and won their semi-final rubbers against Croatia on a similar court but it’s hard to see either of them troubling Nadal on it. He may have lost his French Open crown but his record on the dirt over the past few years speaks for itself.
Spain are huge favourites to win at 1/7 with Paddy Power while the Czechs are 7/1 with sporting bet
