Tuesday 23 September 2014 18:11, UK
Rafa Nadal's coach and uncle Toni has criticised the appointment of Gala Leon Garcia as Spain's first female Davis Cup captain.
The Spanish Tennis Federation (RTEF) announced on Monday that 40-year-old Leon Garcia would replace Carlos Moya, who decided to step down last week after they were relegated from the World Group by a defeat in Brazil.
While she has received support from a number of leading figures in the game, Toni Nadal's reception was much less enthusiastic.
"It is preferable that (the Davis Cup captain) is someone with a background in the world of men's tennis," he said.
"I have nothing against her, I don't know what her capabilities are and I hope she does her job well, but in theory she is a person that doesn't know men's tennis, because men's tennis isn't the same as women's tennis.
The truth is that the men's game isn't the same as the women's game on the tactical level, not that one is better than the other.
"The truth is that the men's game isn't the same as the women's game on the tactical level, not that one is better than the other.
"It would seem to be more normal if the captain had been someone like Juan Carlos Ferrero, or some ex-player of a certain level, which is what has happened recently."
But Toni Nadal said Leon Garcia's appointment would not stop his nephew, the former world No 1, from returning to the side when he is free of injury.
Leon played 651 WTA Tour matches and won one title at the Madrid Open in 2000, the year she reached her highest rank of 27.
After retiring in 2004 she coached several female players and, in June of this year, became the first women to be appointed sports director of the Spanish tennis federation.
She has shrugged off the criticism and said her only concern is taking the team back to the top of the sport.
"Everyone has the right to say what they think. I am not here to create a sexist debate but to help the Davis Cup team to return to the World Group and ensure that the trophy returns home soon," she said.
