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10/7/09 8:35 AM | Johan Lindahl
The sporting luck appears to be worsening for Madrid. After losing its bid to host the 2016 Olympics, the capital has all but been ruled out as site for the December 4-6 Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic.
The reason? The usual: too much altitude.
Spanish players are reported to have informed the federation they will be happy to play anywhere save Madrid, where the balls fly due to the thinner air at 650 meters above sea level.
If Madrid is not a candidate, the weekend decision on a playing site will come down to Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, and Tenerife.
"I don’t think that Madrid will ever host Davis Cup," Miguel Diaz of Madrid Tennis told local media. "We want to have final, but political interests impeded. Madrid lost bid to host 2016 Olympic Games few days ago and has not been able to enter another fight."
Officials say they offered whatever the federation wanted - and more - in an attempt to secure the rights.
"We solved all economical problems; we offered a million euros ($1.45 million) asked by Federation and 200,000 extra, but Davis Cup Captain Albert Costa told me that preference of all players is to play on sea level."
The pair of exceptions: Madrid-based players Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez.
The issue of altitude seems to be unworkable, even for a city which has an annual ATP Masters 1000 each spring on clay. "Madrid would only ask for the final," said Diaz. "And we will never be able to solve the sea level problem."
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Actually all except Verdasco and Lopez... like it says :)
SGHIceman , 10/7/09 3:01 PM
If you guys would read other more accurate articles from Marc.com or As.com you would read that Rafa and the other don't care where they play..sure they would prefer to not play in altitude but it is not their decision.
Madrid withdrew their bid cause they didn't get the olympics.
Verdasco/Lopez only wanted Madrid cause that is where they live.Verdasco was scrutinized today for even talking about it cause they had made an agreement that none of the players would comment on a preference but once again..Verdasco talks to much.
alik , 10/7/09 3:26 PM
hey! i like verdasco :P
mriiidula , 10/7/09 3:49 PM
:) i like him too,but the young man was born with the gift of gab:D
alik , 10/7/09 4:14 PM
i dont mind hearing him talk..he has a verrry sexy accent :P
mriiidula , 10/7/09 4:40 PM
mriidula, Nando's next match is going to be a drool fest for you!
stu , 10/7/09 6:41 PM
hahaha, it sure is! if its not broadcast on tv, i'm gonna get maaaaadd :P
mriiidula , 10/7/09 6:54 PM
I am glad its not being played in Madrid, Berdych has a strong serve and at altitude it could favour him, we all know Rafa hates playing at altitude!
afrodite7 , 10/8/09 12:50 AM
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Translation = Nadal does not want to play in Madrid after this year's result. Poor Verdasco.
chr18 , 10/7/09 2:36 PM