London: Former world number one Rafael Nadal is backing Britain for a historic 10th Davis Cup crown next week provided they manage to get their star player Andy Murray to deliver in all three of his matches.
Murray is Britain’s number one choice in the singles and will also partner elder brother Jamie in the doubles for the final against Belgium in Ghent from November 26-28.
Starting in 2004, Nadal has helped Spain to an amazing five Davis Cups, while also finishing runner-up in 2012. Spain has competed in the World Group for 18 consecutive years, from 1997 to 2014, making them historically one of the most powerful countries in the tennis world.
Spain defeated Argentina 3-1 in the 2011 final in Sevilla for their fifth title and their third in four years. However, in 2014, Spain were relegated and dropped out of the elite World Group for the first time since 1996.
“I don’t know if I am going to watch the Davis Cup final as I have a charity event for my foundation. Most probably, I am going to be busy at the golf course doing my charity event,” Nadal told media after losing in straight sets to Novak Djokovic in Saturday’s first semi-finals at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
“At this stage, I don’t think about Andy [Murray] because Andy plays very well on every surface. But for the second player, I think Belgium has the edge. Most probably, Belgium has it in its mind to have its No.2 player win both the singles and then take the doubles. That must be the calculation,” Nadal said.
The official team nominations for the Davis Cup final were announced last Tuesday with Britain having to wait for the ITF Board to take a decision on whether Slovenian-born Aljaz Bedene is eligble to play.
Skippered by Leon Smith, the British squad will consist of the Murray brothers along with Kyle Edmund and Dominic Inglot.
For the hosts, Johan van Herck is the captain, with the others on the team being David Goffin, Steve Darcis, Ruben Bemelmans and Kimmer Coppejans.
Although Britain are the third most successful team in terms of championships won — they are tied with France with nine titles — but have appeared in only two finals since 1937.
The scales, however, are tipped in favour of Belgium as they have chosen to host the finals on clay in Ghent.
“I think clay is the right surface for Belgium as they have a better chance because of the second player of Great Britain,” Nadal said.
“If I am Belgium, then that’s what’s going to be on my mind. If I am able to win a match against Andy, then it would be fantastic. But that’s what I believe they [Belgium] should think, and probably that’s why they chose clay,” he added.
