Rafael Nadal poses with Leander Paes at the centre court of RK Khanna stadium. Image Source: Xtra Time[/caption]Internet Desk: Spain's number 1 ranked player Rafael Nadal is not taking India lightly ahead of the World Group play-off tie which starts from Friday here at the RK Khanna stadium. The Spaniard is wary of hosts India springing up a surprise or two as strange things can happen in Davis Cup. The tie otherwise can be compared as a battle between David vs Goliath as Spain boasts of top players in this tie against an Indian side which does not have a single player in top-100.
The Spanish team showed utmost respect to India."The Indian players will play in front of their crowd with conditions they chose. And in Davis Cup, special things can happen. It has happened in the past. We lost a couple of confrontations (contest) that we believed we were favourites and were in good position. There is respect for India, they have good players, good double team," Nadal said at the pre-draw press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday.
"Few times we have the opportunity to get back to the World Group, we didn't (win). Hope this time it can change. Team like Spain should be in World Group," he said lamenting the lack of success.
Nadal was clearly referring to their 1-3 defeat in the World Group Play-off against Brazil in 2014 and 2-3 loss to Russia in the Europe/Africa Group last year.
Nadal played a crucial part in Spain's victorious Davis Cup campaigns in the past (2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011).
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