Nadal dismisses Davis Cup doubts
Nadal made the quarters in Melbourne
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Wednesday, 07, Feb 2007 11:36
Spain's Rafael Nadal has announced he is fit to take part in his country's Davis Cup tie against Switzerland, which begins on Friday.
Nadal had expressed doubts about his fitness after being knocked out of the Australian Open at the quarter-final stage by eventual runner-up Fernando Gonzalez, but he has since said he is clear of injury and will play.
"The doctor from the Spanish tennis federation came to see me and, after examining the results and checking my fitness and training, I'm able to confirm my participation in the tie against Switzerland," he said on his official website.
The Spanish team had been concerned that Nadal would pull out after the team doctors diagnosed an "injury to the left leg in the middle gluteus due to excess play" after the 21-year-old's Grand Slam challenge ended in the latter stages of a gruelling competition.
Nadal played 18 sets of tennis at the Australian Open, including a draining five-set thriller against Britain's Andy Murray in the fourth round, but he explained that his desire to play in the Davis Cup had helped him recover in time to participate.
"It's always a priority for me to compete for my country," he continued.
"I hope that we will have the luck to get through the first round where in previous times we have lost."
Spain's opponents Switzerland will be without world number one Roger Federer, who announced he would not be taking part in the tie due to fatigue.