Spain names Alex Corretja as Davis Cup captain

Alex Corretja, former coach of British star Andy Murray, is taking over as captain of Spain's Davis Cup team, the Spanish federation said Tuesday.

Corretja replaces Albert Costa, who quit December 15 to head the country's selection committee.

He faces a major challenge with Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer, who were key to Spain's victory over Argentina in the final earlier this month, both having decided not to take part in the 2012 tournament.

The 37-year-old will be captain for the next two seasons after reaching an agreement on terms with Spanish tennis federation head Jose Luis Escanuela, the body said in a statement. "It is a privilege to captain the best team of players in the world," Corretja said in the statement, describing the post as a matter of "pride and enormous responsibility."

The federation boss said he was convinced the appointment of Corretja, twice runner-up in the French Open and a winner of the 1998 ATP Tour World Championships, was good for Spanish tennis.

"Bringing together his technical and human capacities with that of our players is without doubt a great step forward for the team's success," Escanuela said.

Britain's Murray confirmed in March he was parting company with Corretja after nearly three years as he tried to halt a slump in form, saying he still regarded the Spaniard as a friend and mentor. AFP