"Yes, that's what I meant": Guillermo Coria vows to support for Rafael Nadal's Spain if Argentina exits Davis Cup

Argentina’s Davis Cup team captain Guillermo Coria has stated that he will be rooting for Spain because of Rafael Nadal to win the competition if his team goes out of the competition. The team-based competition returns in November where the remaining eight sides in the final group will clash to secure the ultimate prize.

This year’s Davis Cup’s final round is likely to have more viewing as it will be the final time when Spain’s legendary tennis star will participate in professional tennis. The 38-year-old, who is often regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category in the Open era, having won as many as 22 Grand Slam titles, has recently announced that he will retire from professional tennis after the Davis Cup final round.

In the quarterfinals, Spain will face the Netherlands. Coria, who will be captaining Argentina, who will take on Italy in the quarterfinals, has recently spoken to Spanish media outlet Marca where he stated that he will be rooting for Spain if his team crashes out of the competition against Argentina. The 42-year-old further went on to reveal that he would be supporting Spain because of Nadal and believes that the exit of the former world number one will leave a ‘big mark’ in the world of tennis.

"Yes, that's what I meant [that I will be rooting for Spain only if Argentina crashes out of Davis Cup],” he said. “Personally, I feel privileged to be the captain of the Argentine team and to be present in Malaga and to be able to experience it up close. Especially the days leading up to it, which will be very emotional for him [Nadal] and for all tennis lovers. I think everyone will be there and will be there for him. Rafa is leaving now, it will be very emotional and will leave a very big mark. His absence will surely be felt, as will the way he competes. I have not seen Vilas play live, but I have seen him on video, and I think that after Vilas, Rafa appeared in the sense of that way of competing, that physical strength. I suffered and enjoyed it, especially in the final in Rome. It was very difficult to beat him at his best because he beat you both on the tennis and physical level. If we were eliminated, it would be fantastic if he could retire having won the Davis Cup. It would be fantastic for him and for everything he did in his career. What he did was impressive.”