Spaniards discuss Martinez firing

Spain’s top tennis stars have discussed the decision by the Spanish tennis federation to “make a change in the leadership” and remove Conchita Martinez from her position as Davis Cup and Fed Cup captain.

The Wimbledon champion and former world No.2 guided the Spanish Fed Cup team since 2013 and the Davis Cup team since 2015.

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Martinez expressed her anger and disappointment in the decision, and several players who have competed in those teams – Rafael Nadal, Garbine Muguruza, Feliciano Lopez and Carla Suarez Navarro – were asked to explain their reaction to the news.

Muguruza spoke about it in Tokyo this week while Nadal and Suarez Navarro’s comments were reported in Spanish media.

Here’s what they had to say.

Nadal: “Conchita deserves maximum recognition. She came in at a complicated moment [and] she did a job that was important. [In 2016], there was a new regime [at the federation] and they wanted new people. The players recognised that, having been in the second group [of Davis Cup] for two years, Conchita merited a year in the World Group because she had earned it. This year, the players stood on the sidelines … I don’t have any problem with Conchita, but the federation decides the captain. There are other renowned former players who also merit this position.”

Muguruza: “It’s delicate. I think the decision has to be that of the federation. But I would like Conchita to have remained. I will always have a very good relationship with her.”

Lopez: “[Conchita] has given everything for the team and there has always been a good atmosphere with her. I think Conchita has a right to be hurt. I think we could have avoided the controversy that has been created.”

Suarez Navarro: “Personally, no one from the federation contacted me to ask or inform me that they were removing Conchita. On such a subject they should have consulted.”