Àlex Corretja removed from Spain Davis Cup captaincy

The Spanish Tennis Federation has elected not to renew the contract of Davis Cup captain Àlex Corretja

Corretja, a former world number two and French Open finalist, took over the national team from Albert Costa in 2011 and guided the players to a precious victory over Ukraine last month, which allowed Spain to remain in the World Group where it has been for 17 consecutive years.

In total, Corretja oversaw six Davis Cup ties over two seasons, winning four and losing two, most notably the 2012 final in the Czech Republic. After defeating Ukraine in Madrid, Corretja appeared to already know the writing was on the wall. “If I carry on, I’ll be delighted and if not, I wish whoever takes over the best of luck,” he said.

The federation issued a statement Thursday confirming Corretja’s exit. “Taking into account the view of the Sporting Department and with the consensus of the board of directors, it has been decided not to renew Àlex Corretja as Davis Cup captain on December 31.”

The two men most likely to vie for the vacant post are Juan Carlos Ferrero, the hero of Barcelona when Spain won its first Davis Cup by beating Australia, and Carlos Moyá, who was in the triumphant 2004 team alongside an 18-year-old relative unknown called Rafa Nadal.

In all, Spain has won five Davis Cups and been runners-up five times: that first win in 2000 coming 33 years after its previous final, when Roy Emerson led Australia to victory in Brisbane.