Carlos Moyà to lead Spain’s Davis Cup team in 2014

Former world number one and Roland Garros champion Carlos Moyà is set to be named the new captain of Spain’s Davis Cup team. The Mallorcan replaces Àlex Corretja, his opponent in the 1998 French Open final, and will make his debut in a home tie against Germany in January.

Moyà will sign a one-year contract with the Spanish Tennis Federation, in contrast to Corretja who penned a two-year deal that he fought to have honored until the last minute. “He wanted it this way. If everything goes well and everybody is happy there will be no problem [with a renewal],” said sources close to the negotiation.

Moyà is a friend and mentor of current world number one Rafa Nadal, the cornerstone of the country’s Davis Cup team, which has won four titles since the latter made his debut as an 18-year-old in 2004. That year, Moyà and Nadal earned Spain the opening two points in singles in the final against the USA in Seville.

Unlike his predecessors, Moyà faces a lack, rather than an abundance, of resources. No country has more top-100 players but the four highest-ranked will have an average age of 30 next year and if the trend of recent seasons is continued, they will not always be available as they tailor their calendars to the rigors of the ATP Tour.

“A very interesting day... at a personal and professional level,” Moyà tweeted on Thursday, when he also announced he is to be a father for the third time.