Barcelona, Spain (My Sportsbook) - Former French Open champion Albert Costa has been named as the new captain for the Spanish Davis Cup team. Spain captured the 2008 title in Argentina last month. Costa replaces Emilio Sanchez, who stepped down after guiding the Spaniards to their most recent championship. Playing without world No. 1 star Rafael Nadal last month, three-time champion Spain stunned Argentina 3-1 in the final at Mar del Plata. The 33-year-old Costa agreed to captain the squad for one year. The 43-year- old Sanchez guided the team for the last three. Costa captured the French Open singles title in 2002 by upsetting compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final. Costa was a member on Spain's first-ever Davis Cup championship team back in 2000. The 12-time ATP singles titlist retired from the men's tour in 2006 and currently coaches countryman Feliciano Lopez, who was a member of this year's Spanish Davis Cup championship team. The reigning champion Spaniards will host Serbia at Benidorm in a 2009 Davis Cup first-round tie in March. |
