Rafael Jódar and Daniel Mérida will lead Spain in the Davis Cup in Chile
Confirmed list for the Spanish representation of the Davis Cup in Chile. Raphael JodarDaniel Merida and Martin Landaluce They will give a face to the team that will play the qualifying round on September 19 and 20 at the National Stadium Park in Santiago. Captain David Ferrer will also have the experience of Jaume Munar and Pedro Martínez Goalie in search of a place in the Final 8 in Bologna.
David Ferrer He has shown his satisfaction with the professionalism of the tennis players and has valued the tie. “I am very happy with the commitment that all the players have acquired knowing that it is not going to be an easy tie, because they come from a tour of many weeks traveling in the United States”, he pointed out.
The Spanish team will not be able to count on Carlos Alcarazwho is still recovering from his right wrist injury, with Alejandro Davidovichwith back discomfort, nor with Marcel Granollers.
Rafael Jodarthe new 19-year-old promise of Spanish tennis, will debut as the team’s number one. For David Ferrerhis evolution has been a very positive surprise: “He is a player who showed promise, but he is playing at a very high level, beating the best players in the world and with a chance of finishing Top-10. I think it is something very good for Spanish tennis.”
Rafael Jódar: “I really want to play”
Jodar He explained that he received the call from the Spanish captain in the middle of the American tour: “It is a tremendous illusion to be able to represent the Spanish team for the first time. I had the opportunity to do it as a sparring partner two years ago in Valencia, it was an incredible experience and I don’t want to imagine what it’s like to do it as a player.”.
The man from Leganés has assured that he is looking forward to playing his first Davis Cup tie, knowing that “in Chile there will be very difficult matches, but the team is looking forward to it. I’m sure that all the players and the entire staff will be eager to give everything and be able to advance to the next tie.”
Daniel Mérida: “It is a dream to play the Davis Cup”
Daniel Meridaanother of the Spanish tennis talents who has broken into the world Top-40 at the age of 21, will also be part of the team. “The year is going very well, I am very motivated by doing good tournaments, and looking forward to what is left,” he acknowledges. “For me it is a dream to play the Davis Cup because I have seen it so many times as a child and to be able to be there, with the team, the truth is that it is a dream.”
Martin Landaluce20 years old, is the third of the Madrid tennis players who will be part of the team, although he already knows what it is like to play with the Spanish team. He did it last season in Switzerland, where he met Jaume Munar and Pedro Martínez Goaliekey players in the brilliant runners-up finish achieved by Spain in the last Final 8.
As for the setting, it will be the first time that Spain visits Chile in the Davis Cupthe two previous confrontations played in 1928 and 1965 were decided in Barcelona, with Spanish victory in both cases.
The tie will be played at the Anita Lizana Court Central in Santiago de Chile, with a capacity between 5,500 and 6,000 spectators. On Saturday, September 19, the first two individual matches will be played starting at 1:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. in Spain). On Sunday the 20th it will start with the doubles match and the last two singles, starting at 12 noon (5pm in Spain).
