Defending champions Spain have named Alex Corretja as their new Davis Cup captain. He follows in the footsteps of Albert Costa who announced he was stepping down in December following Spain’s 3-1 victory over Argentina in the Final.
Corretja, a former world No. 2, enjoyed a highly successful playing career during the 1990s and 2000s, winning 17 singles titles and reaching a further 13 finals. He also added three tournament victories in doubles.
Despite enjoying considerable success on hard courts, including victory at the ATP Finals in 1998, the Spaniard was always more at home on clay. He reached the quarterfinals or beyond at Roland Garros for five straight years and twice went all the way to the final, eventually falling to Carlos Moya in 1998 and Gustavo Kuerten in 2001.
In Davis Cup, Corretja was a key member of Spain’s first ever winning team in 2000 as he played - and won - in all four rounds during the season. After eight years in the side, he retired from the competition in 2003 with an impressive win-loss singles record of 12-3 and overall record of 20-11.
The 37-year-old, who has worked as part of Andy Murray's coaching staff in recent times, will have a hard job emulating the success of his predecessor who lifted the trophy on two occasions during his three years in charge. Costa’s sole defeat arrived at the hands of France in 2010.
Corretja will be in the captain’s chair for the first time when Spain begin their title defence at home against Kazakhstan in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first round, being played in Oviedo on 10-12 February.
There has also been a change in captaincy for Spain's Fed Cup team, with Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario taking over from the long serving Miguel Margets.