It looks like world number one Rafael Nadal will not be joining his racquet-wielding Spanish cohorts in Austin in a couple of weeks. The 2011 Davis Cup World Group Quarterfinal between the United States and Spain will take place as scheduled at the Frank Erwin Center July 8-10, but will not feature Nadal, Spanish newspaper Marca reports.
The news is a bummer for spectators, but should prove advantageous for the American squad. U.S. Davis Cup stalwart (and Austinite) Andy Roddick will anchor a team that features up-and-comerJohn Isner the #9 ranked player in the world, Mardy Fish and doubles specialists Bob and Mike Bryan. This is the first home tie for new captain (and former Davis Cup champion) Jim Courier.This is also the first time Austin will host a Davis Cup tie and the fifth time a DC event will be hosted in Texas. In 1992 (which turned out to be John McEnroe’s final Davis Cup tie) a U.S. dream team – which featured McEnroe, Courier, Pete Sampras, and Andre Aggasi – defeated Switzerland 3-1 to capture the title.
More recently, the U.S. and Spain have combined to take three of the past four Davis Cup titles, though Spain has been dominant of late, winning the title in 2008 and 2009.
At this minute, Nadal is currently battling in the Round of 16 at Wimbledon’s All England Club against Argentinia’s Juan Martin Del Potro. The Washington Post is reporting that Nadal injured his footduring the match and had to leave the court for treatment in the first set.
Update 4:15pm: Rafael Nadal went on to beat Del Potro in 4 sets, 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4. Nadal will face American Mardy Fish in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.