We have to remain focused, says Nadal

Spanish superstar warns against complacency

To see Spain out of the Davis Cup World Group clearly bothers Rafael Nadal. As Spain arrived in full strength to contest the play-off tie against India, Nadal made it clear that they did not want complacency to set in before asserting that a team like Spain deserves to be in the elite group of the competition.

The five-time champions are out of the elite group since the last two years and Nadal said it was his immediate goal to see them return to the World Group.

 “In Davis Cup, always special things happen. We lost a couple of confrontations where we thought we were favourites and we were in a good position to win. We have maximum respect for opponents from India, they have good players, good doubles team, so we have to be focused,” said Nadal, adding that he was ready for the “confrontation” with India.

“A few times we had possibilities to be back in World Group, we hope this time it can change. We have a good team. We have the motivation to be where we think we have to be. A team like Spain should be in World Group and that’s why we are here. The confrontations which are away are especially difficult.”

 While many skip Davis Cup to focus on their professional engagements, Nadal takes pride in standing up as an exception. “Well everybody has their personal schedules, sometime it is possible, other time not. This time we had and are happy to represent the country when we have the possibility,” he said.

 World No 13 David Ferrer said he reveled in the closely knit atmosphere of the Davis Cup. “It (tie) is going to be difficult, it is good for us to be here with Rafael, Feliciano and Mark (Lopez).

 Added captain Conchita Martinez: “There is no anxiety, we are here with the team ready to try and win the tie and hopefully we can say on Monday we are in the World Group.”

 Feliciano Lopez said they had respect for their Indian counterparts. “Leander is one of the best doubles players for the last 20 years and he was successful with Mahesh (Bhupathi) and in some other partnerships too. We will definitely be looking forward to him playing in front of his home crowd.”

 It has been a tough year for Nadal who said he was happy to be on tour again. “I am working to be back where I want to be.”

 Asked who was his toughest opponent, Nadal, the World No 4, said: “I played against a lot of great players in my career, Novak (Djokovic), Andy (Murray), Roger (Federer) have been there all the time. But in the last two years I have found tough opponents almost every day,” he said laughing.