Recuperating Rafa left out of Davis Cup quarters
Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:37
Rafael Nadal has been left out of Spain’s Davis Cup squad for their World Group quarter-final against Germany.
Captain Albert Costa has called on Fernando Verdasco, Tommy Robredo, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez for the clay-court tie in the Puerto Banus bullring in Marbella.
The world No.1 has not played since announcing his withdrawal from Wimbledon after playing a couple of exhibition matches just over a week ago.
Nadal revealed that he has been struggling with tendinitis in both knees after his shock defeat in the French Open last month, and despite an extensive rehabilitation programme deemed himself unfit to defend his SW19 crown.
The news will be a blow to Spain, but will be tempered by the knowledge that a Nadal-less squad, inspired by Lopez and Verdasco, claimed the 2008 Davis Cup crown in Argentina last November.
The World Group quarter-finals are scheduled for the weekend of July 10-12.
Davis Cup World Group quarter-final line-up:
Home team listed first, seeds in bold
Czech Republic vs Argentina
Croatia vs United States
Israel vs Russia
Spain vs Germany
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