Article

  • Rafael Nadal lashes Spanish federation over Davis Cup site

    5/13/08 11:55 AM | Johan Lindahl
    - Angry Rafael Nadal has lashed out at a tennis target for the second time in a week, blasting the Spanish federation for putting September's Davis Cup tie with the US on high-altitude Madrid clay.

    Spanish players are simmering that after being promised that they would have a hand in the selection process, it was all done behind closed doors in a move orchestrated by federation boss Pedro Munoz.

    The administrator is now public enemy No. 1 for Spanish players, led by the world No. 2. Last week, Nadal let loose at the ATP for scheduling an unreasonably crowded clay season.

    Players have now signed a letter vowing not to appear for at any promotional activities to publicise the May 19-21 tie. Madrid's 900 meters make the balls fly faster, exactly what potential opponents Andy Roddick and James Blake love.

    “We never had any problem with playing in Madrid,” Nadal said. “But we can't accept that the president told us 100 times that we were going to decide, and then we don't decide.”

    Nadal said Spanish supremacy the surface where they crushed the US at sea-level Seville in the 2004 final is now in danger.

    “You can't say we're the clear favourites now,” said Nadal. “We're not playing against No. 50 and 60 in the world. Roddick is at No.6 and Blake is at eight and they have the world's No.1 doubles team.”

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