Spain: Davis Cup (Team) Champions
It seems fitting that Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco, doubles partners and close friends were the stars of the 2008 Davis Cup Final where Spain defeated Argentina for the crown in Argentina. Verdasco and Lopez, who both won singles matches and teamed for the doubles victory, were the only two players on the Spanish Davis Cup team who played on all four rounds in 2008. Spain, which has consistently been one of the two or three countries with the most men competing in the Grand Slam singles main draws, i.e. Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open, won the Davis Cup Final for the
third time in this decade, i.e. they won in 2000 and 2004. Going into the Final, Argentina had become the favorite because Rafael Nadal was sidelined with a knee injury and the Tie was being contested in front of the boisterous hometown crowd in Argentina. It was another heartbreaking loss in a Davis Cup Final for David Nalbandian and the rest of the Argentinian Davis Cup team, especially at home. However, Spain proved that Davis Cup really is a team event by using their “second string” singles players to capture the Davis Cup. Kudos also to team caption and former Spanish star, Emilio Sanchez Vicario, for guiding the team to the victory.
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