Article

  • Argentina at odds with ITF over Davis Cup seating plan

    9/28/08 4:10 PM | Johan Lindahl
    - In addition to steering away from a clay court in hopes of thwarting Rafael Nadal in November's Davis Cup final, Argentina may be taking on the ITF in its choice of ground for the tie.

    The South Americans seem determined to play in a secondary venue, forsaking the traditional 14,000-seat Parque Roca Stadium.

    But the other candidates are said not to meet minimum seating capacity requirements laid down by the international governing body, leading to a looming confrontation between the sides.

    "We're between Luna Park and the Orfeo (in Cordoba, home of David Nalbandian)," an Argentine official told local radio.

    With spring on the way in the Southern hemisphere, it is looking like the first time that the South American powerhouse will choose anything other than traditional clay for a home tie, with the final set for November 23-25.

    Argentine captain Alberto Mancini wants a fast surface to play to the strength of Nalbandian and possibly slow world No. 1 Nadal just a touch.

    The provincial Orfeo stadium comes up just short of the 12,000-seat minimum, but officials say that 3,000 temporary seats can be added. Luna Park in Buenos Aires would also need extra seats grafted on.

    Argentina will be hosting its first Davis Cup final after losing a title tie to Russia in 2006 in Moscow.

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Comments

It just hit me how intimidating Nadal is these days that team Argentina is focusing hard enough on neutralizing Rafa.
It will be very emphatic if they beat Spain on clay, where they are more comfortable as well, in their own home!

agf25agf , 9/29/08 12:13 AM


Uh yeah Mancini, good luck with that. With all the improvements that Nadal is making, might as well just play on clay.

lyta1138 , 9/30/08 6:24 PM



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