Commitment, solidarity, and comradeship shape David Ferrer’s vision for bringing his first lineup onto the court. The departure as captain for Spain will be unveiled in Valencia this coming September.
Ferrer stated in Barcelona on Friday that the captaincy arrives at the right moment and fuels his motivation. He noted that the Davis Cup has offered him profound personal growth, though he does not expect to surpass that achievement as captain. He is nonetheless thrilled about the opportunity, as confirmed during his presentation with federation president Miguel Diaz and sports director Javier Soler.
The successor to the former player remains a topic for discussion, even after nearly eight months of reflection. With recovery in mind for the team that includes Rafael Nadal and the potential inclusion of Carlos Alcaraz, the plan will depend on conditions, injuries, and the season’s progression.
Nadal was the first to be contacted after the selection was announced. Ferrer joked that Nadal initially didn’t answer the phone but eventually called back. He emphasized the hope that Nadal can join the squad, highlighting Nadal as a milestone not only for his career but also for what he can transfer to the team. Ferrer, who has shared a Davis Cup triumph with Nadal in 2008, 2009, and 2011, recalled a 28-5 record across 20 decisive matches, and recalled the last Valencia victory on April 8, 2018, which secured crucial points for the team. He also recalled reaching the semi-finals against Germany.
“The best team”
Ferrer recognizes the challenge ahead. He remarked that some players will win the Davis Cup, while the team possesses notable strength at the highest level, with the aim of lifting the trophy. He cautioned that the end-of-season schedule brings wear and tear for the players. In his new role, he also serves as a director, and he noted that the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell will feature two of his strongest competitors when the tournament begins on April 17.
He added that Nadal trains diligently and will arrive in Barcelona on schedule. He expressed high confidence that Nadal will enjoy a strong season on clay. Regarding Alcaraz, he praised both the results and the pressure the young star handled after a stellar previous year.
Djokovic as a rival
As captain, Ferrer will debut in September leading Spain in Group C in Valencia, alongside Serbia, the Czech Republic, and South Korea. He described the group as similar to last year and noted that the qualifiers are open, acknowledging Djokovic as a challenging opponent for Serbia, though he preferred not to speculate too much about potential outcomes.
Serbia and Korea were already rivals in 2022 during the same group stage that determines the teams advancing to the finals in Malaga from November 21 to 26. In this edition, the former captain Bruguera could not count on Nadal, who left the team earlier in the year, and Alcaraz, who had just claimed their first Grand Slam in New York and needed time to recover.
The remaining groups will be allocated as follows: Group A will play in Bologna and include current champions Canada, Italy, Sweden, and Chile; Group B will be staged in Australia, with entries from Great Britain, France, and Switzerland, along with Manchester as a venue; Group D will take place in Croatia, where the Netherlands, the United States, Finland, and Croatia have not yet confirmed their hosting locations.