Despite Spain being heavy favourites to win their Davis Cup playoff tie against India this weekend, the home side will be treated with "maximum respect", said former world No.1 Rafael Nadal on Tuesday.
Nadal said that he and his Spanish team were vary of the favourites tag and also acknowledged how home advantage can galvanise players. "It is always difficult to play someone in front of his home crowd," the 14-time Grand Slam champion said. "The conditions are dangerous. The Davis Cup is always a special thing. In the past we lost a couple of confrontations that we were favourites and we were in a good position to win. So we have maximum respect for all our opponents," he added.
The 30-year-old world No. 5 will be leading a full-strength Spanish team against India for the tie. The lineup also includes world No. 13 David Ferrer and the doubles specialists, Feliciano and Marc Lopez. "We have good team," Nadal said. "We have a team that really wants to be here and give their best. I think that a team like Spain should be in the World Group and that is why we are here," he added.
Despite enduring a tough phase over the last three months due to injury, Nadal soldiered through pain to hand Spain the men's doubles gold in Rio 2016. He missed out on a singles medal, though, losing to Japanese ace Kei Nishikori in the bronze medal play-off. His run in the US Open was halted by an up-and-coming Lucas Pouille in the round of 16, going down in a thrilling five-setter.
Nadal said he was happy to put his injury woes behind him. "I am happy to be back. I had a tough two months and I am happy to be back where I want to be – on the tennis court," he said.
India's chances have already been crippled with the experienced Rohan Bopanna missing out. Veteran Leander Paes will lead the hosts, who have Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan playing against Nadal and Ferrer in the singles matches. India and Spain will face off for their Davis Cup tie between September 16-18 in New Delhi.
