Having wielded the Davis Cup tennis sword to such devastating effect last season, Spain were slain by Slovakia in the first round yesterday.
The Spaniards won the 2004 final on a slow Seville claycourt prepared to suit their style but were treated to a dose of their own medicine by
Slovakia as they skidded out of the competition on a quick hardcourt in Bratislava.
Spain had complained bitterly about the speed of the surface but their time would have been better spent preparing for it.
In the event, they lost yesterday's doubles to hand the wily Slovaks an unassailable 3-0 lead and will leave Bratislava undone by the very court selection tactic they have previously used to such brilliant effect.
"This type of court is very difficult for us," Spanish captain Jordi Arrese said after Karol Beck and Michal Mertinak had clinched the upset with a 7-6 6-4 7-6 win over Rafael Nadal and Albert Costa.
Nadal agreed.
"Being defeated away from home happens to nearly everyone," he said.
"When you can choose the surface you have a big advantage.
"They scored a goal against us in that way. We said they were the favourites beforehand just as the way we are when we play at home."
Claycourter Costa grudgingly conceded defeat.
"It's true they were better than us," he said.
"But if we played 10 times I would like to see if they could produce that sort of performance again."
Spanish Tennis Federation president Pedro Munoz was more outspoken, saying the competition rules needed to be examined.
"We want to make sure that the rules are changed so that situations like this don't occur again and we will be working to change them immediately," he said.
"This sort of thing damages the Davis Cup, the spectacle and the fans. We all know that this was irregular."
Meanwhile, Switzerland, missing world No 1 Roger Federer, looked in deep trouble as players lost both yesterday's opening singles against the Netherlands.
- REUTERS
