público

Spain has one foot in the semifinals of the Davis Cup after winning the first two games to Austria in the quarterfinal tie which is held in Oropesa del Mar (Castellón). However, athletic success is not linked to the public. The stands in Marina d´Or are half full or half empty, depending how you look.

Spanish fans do not like tennis and is a faithful follower of Rafa Nadal? One question that remains in the air in the light of the appearance of the stands in the quarter-final tie that pits Spain with Austria in Oropesa del Mar. Media ticket for the first two games, something unthinkable if Nadal were in the track. But there are reasons for this collapse of the public.

Without the # 1 Spanish, 2 ATP, organizers should consider lowering prices for parties of Spain in the Davis Cup. Tennis fans in the skin of bull there are many, but not many are willing to pay the prices of fertilizers as these range from 207.70 euros (first class in the background), 94.50 (third category side) for the five matches the price that could be found online at official websites. Not to mention what it would cost accommodation in the seaside resort for three or four days.

The poster was not bad, far from it. David Ferrer is the number 5 in the world and Nico Almagro, the twelfth of the ATP. And rivals, the Murcia was the Jurgen Melzer, 21. Another Austrian, Andreas Haider-Maurer, is the 139. Three players in the top 25 pairs. One of them, Ferrer, land of Valencia. A perfect hook, if that `The Spanish Armada´ is not itself.

In the end, it has not worked, at least in this first day, riding the track at Marina d´Or holiday village advertised as though it belongs to Oropesa del Mar. The weather, rainy and cold, has not accompanied this Easter, but still less the absence of Nadal, who needs rest in a year with Olympics. Eye, which was the same in the aterior tie against Kazakhstan in Oviedo. Without Nadal will have to lower prices.

Match results: Almagro beat Melzer in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4. For his part, Ferrer was even stronger after beating Maurer 6-1, 6-3, 6-1, and playing at half speed for the physical problems of his rival, far below and above played depleted by injury ankle.

"My motivation is that," said Nadal, again in a final of this competition after having had to lose last year

The Spanish team number one, Rafael Nadal, faces charges of motivation the Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic, encouraged by the possibility of harvesting a new success in his career and to polish the end of the year 2009 after his participation Masters Cup in London. The Spaniard, who open confrontation with the game against Central-box number two, Tomas Berdych, said "the thing" that matters is winning the Davis Cup. "

"My motivation is that," said Nadal, again in a final of this competition had to after losing last year in Mar del Plata, Argentina face. "They needed me last year. I was a spectator," recalled Nadal, who relies on well being. "We'll see after tomorrow," said Rafael Nadal, who is reunited with Berdych, with a few years ago, at the Masters Series Madrid, had a scuffle that "it is forgotten."

"With Berdych have an excellent relationship. That was a scuffle but that was years ago. We were wrong and rectify both. For nothing is a bad guy. It is a quiet person with whom I train often and with which, even went to play doubles in Bangkok, but then I could not because he was injured ", partly due to the number one Spanish. Rafael Nadal reconnects with clay. A surface which does not competed since May 31 when he was knocked out of Roland Garros for the Swede Robin Soderling.

"It is clear that the change of surface need time to adapt. Within the time it has been for this, I am sufficiently well-adjusted. Although the final adjustment is accomplished by playing matches. I have to start right from the start. It costs a little more but I hope that is enough. I have trained well and we did a good job. I'm happy with the work week I've done, "said Nadal.

The public input in a Davis Cup duel "is fundamental." "The public has a major role. It is a plus. The only two benefits that you have at home in the Davis Cup are the choice of the surface and the public, which is what we must help. We know that sometimes help to win. But when hard times come you can help achieve victory. Hopefully it is noticed, "he said Nadal.