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 Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 05 Dec 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 05 Dec 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 05 Dec 2009 |  Photographer: Sergio Carmona
Date: 05 Dec 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 05 Dec 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 05 Dec 2009 |
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| 05 Dec 2009 - Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona - Sandra Harwitt | |
| BLOG: Southpaw seduction |
The Spanish Davis Cup team is rare in that three of the four players are southpaws – Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez. Only David Ferrer, who won an exciting five-set battle against Radek Stepanek to put Spain up 2-0 on Friday, is a righty.
If you’re not convinced that this is an unusual circumstance it is known that at least as far back as 1959 there’s not been a Davis Cup Final squad that had three left-handers in action.
Spain is clearly the dominant force in Davis Cup of late, winning three titles in the past six years, four titles in the last nine years – they beat Australia in 2000, USA in 2004, Argentina in 2008 and Czech Republic in 2009.
Albert Costa is the first Davis Cup captain to win the Cup in his first year as captain since Spaniard Javier Duarte achieved the feat in 2000. Only two other captains have been first year victors since the Davis Cup went to a World Group format in 1981 – Arthur Ashe led the U.S. to victory in 1981, and Yannick Noah led France to victory in 1991.
Courting Royalty
Certainly, the most famous member of the audience at the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final in Barcelona on Saturday was Felipe Juan Pablo Alfonso de Todos los Santos (et omnes sancti) de Borbon de Grecia.
Yes, that is just one name. But to simplify things just refer to him with the abbreviated Felipe, Prince of Asturias.
The Spanish royals have proven to be very loyal to tennis and their players, and this Davis Cup Final outing was no exception. Prince Felipe was quick to show up courtside the minute that Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco sealed the deal on the 2009 Davis Cup title with an impressive 76 (7) 75 62 win over Czech’s Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek.
Protocol appears to be a little less formal with Spanish royalty than other royal families from what this American observed. Of course, I have little background on royalty as we cut our ties with British royalty back in 1776.
After celebrating among themselves, the team quickly gravitated to the 41-year-old heir apparent to the Spanish throne to share celebratory hugs and congratulations on this fourth Davis Cup victory for Spain. And while not official, the true princes of this weekend are named Rafael, David, Fernando and Feliciano!
Magical memories of a man named Manuel
For Manuel Orantes, the best part of being honoured with the 2009 Davis Cup Award of Excellence by the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), was that he’s not been forgotten.
Orantes received the award from ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti and fellow Spaniard and Hall of Famer Manolo Santana during a special on-court ceremony prior to the doubles match on Saturday.
“After so many years, that someone still remembers you, is special,” Orantes said. “And Davis Cup was very important to me and such a good experience. I was in one final and two semifinals.”
Orantes played Davis Cup for 14 years and during that time posted a 60-27 win-loss record with 39 of those wins happening in singles matches. A former world No. 2, Orantes defeated Jimmy Connors to capture the 1975 U.S. Open – at the time the Open was played on green clay at the Westside Tennis Club in Forest Hills, NY.
Born in Granada, Orantes has lived in Barcelona since he was two years old, so it was special to win this award in front of a hometown crowd. These days he still is closely connected to tennis, working to help develop junior talent in Spain.
A sublime stroll
A trip to Barcelona wouldn’t pass muster if one did not take a sublime stroll down Las Ramblas. In fact, for many, their first destination, particularly if coming off a cruise ship from the harbour, is to Las Ramblas. A pedestrian promenade lined with restaurants, shops, and hotels, Las Ramblas runs from the Placa Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus monument.
While a trip to the Joan Miro museum is suggested, you don’t have to go that far to find a Miro in Barcelona. If you are walking near the Liceu Theater on Las Ramblas make sure to look down. You might find that you’re walking right over a Miro mosaic (it’s big and round and easy to identify). And when you’re there, look for the tile that bears Miro’s signature.
Don’t miss a wander through the La Boqueria market on the same side of Las Ramblas as the Liceu Theater. From the moment you step into La Boqueria, expect your senses to come alive with the aroma of food. From savoury to sweet, fish stalls to cheese, and everything in-between, you’re apt to want to have a taste test of it all.
Make sure to wear comfy shoes as Las Ramblas is 1.2 kilometers long.
ABOUT OUR BLOGGER...
 Sandra Harwitt
Sandra, an American sportswriter for longer than she's willing to admit, has travelled the world to cover tennis for major publications, such as ESPN.com, The Miami Herald, and Associated Press. Her biggest problem of late is managing to pack worldwide purchases into suitcases and still meet the airline weight restrictions.
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