Madrid, London: Rafael Nadal has been named in Spain’s Davis Cup team to play India in their world group play-off tie in New Delhi on September 16-18.
Fifth-ranked Nadal, who was upset by France’s Lucas Pouille in the US Open on Sunday, will be joined by 13th-ranked David Ferrer for singles duty with Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez slated for doubles.
“The return to the team of Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer is the big news of the Spanish team which will travel to India for the play-off,” the Spanish tennis federation announced on Tuesday.
Nadal added the Olympic doubles gold to his 2008 singles crown last month after being forced out of Roland Garros and Wimbledon because of a wrist injury.
The 30-year-old Spanish superstar — a 14-time Grand Slam champion — suffered a shock 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8/6) fourth round exit in the US Open to 22-year-old Pouille.
His early elimination, however, boosted his chances of a return for Davis Cup duty for the five-time champions against three-time runners-up India.
It will be the third meeting between the two countries and first since 1965 with Spain leading 2-1.
Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, meanwhile, has been named in Great Britain squad for next weekend’s semi-final against Argentina in Glasgow. Murray opted not to play in Britain’s quarter-final victory in Serbia in July as he recovered after his second Wimbledon triumph.
But the world number two has made himself available for the holders’ clash with Argentina and he was included on Tuesday in a provisional five-man team alongside Kyle Edmund, Dan Evans, Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot.
Murray’s participation could yet depend on how he fares at the US Open, where he eased through to the quarter-finals on Monday with a thumping win over Grigor Dimitrov.
The Davis Cup tie begins at the Emirates Arena on September 16, only five days after the final in New York.
But, unlike the Serbia clash, Murray would not have to contend with a change of surface and, injury permitting, seems almost certain to play.
Captain Leon Smith must cut his team from five to four by the draw next Thursday but could include both Evans and Edmund if Murray is keen once again to play doubles with brother Jamie.
“It has been a great summer for the British players with Andy once again leading from the front and the performances from the players at the US Open gives us a lot of momentum going into the tie,” Smith said.
“We are confident that we can do the job at the Emirates, although we know we are up against an Argentina team with impressive strength in depth, and of course the return to form of Juan Martin del Potro makes their team stronger again.”
Murray’s last Davis Cup action came against Japan in March, when he edged an epic five-setter against Kei Nishikori to win the tie.
He is likely to face Juan Martin del Potro in the Davis Cup semis just weeks after beating the Argentine to win gold in the Olympic singles final in Rio.
