The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Spanish federation faces player rebellion

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Spanish federation faces player rebellion

Madrid: The selection process to determine which city will host Spain’s Davis Cup semifinal series against the United States is threatening to turn into a mutiny.

The players and team captain are upset that the Spanish tennis federation appears to be ready to overlook home-court advantage in favour of sponsorship money.

Madrid is one of four cities vying to host September 19-21 best-of-five series at the Las Ventas bullring. Benidorm, Tenerife and Gijon are also trying to win the right to host the event.

The Spanish players are worried that Madrid’s 650-metres altitude — making it the highest capital city in Europe —will take away its precious clay-court advantage against the defending champions.

They believe that Andy Roddick’s booming serve and the hard-hitting doubles pair of Bob and Mike Bryan will be equal to the host despite playing on their least favourite surface.

Madrid’s sudden place as the front-runner comes just about three months after the city’s tourist office signed up as a key sponsor with the Davis Cup through 2010.

“What I know is that as of today it hasn’t been decided where the Davis Cup semifinal will be staged,” federation sporting director Javier Duarte said. “That which has the best specifics will take the semifinal.”

Marca newspaper reported on Tuesday that Spain captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario had sent the federation his notice of resignation because his objections to playing in Madrid had fallen on deaf ears, with Madrid already believed to be a lock.

Federation president Pedro Munoz dismissed the reports that Sanchez Vicario had resigned, while Duarte denied that a players’ rebellion was brewing.

“You have to respect that, every player and every captain has his preferences,” Duarte said.

“I was once captain and opinion is important.” — AP

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