tennis

Spain appeals to Davis Cup over US surface choice

Published Apr. 19, 2011 10:16 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Spanish tennis federation appealed to Davis Cup organizers over the United States' choice of playing surface for the World Group quarterfinals.

The federation said the company that makes the surface - better known as Indoor Hard Premiere - is not included in the list of 91 manufacturers approved by the International Tennis Federation.

''The surface proposed by the United States Tennis Federation fraudulently infringes Davis Cup rules, since it does not meet ITF requirements and didn't host an ATP event in 2010 with prize money valued at over $350,000,'' federation president Jose Luis Escanuela said Tuesday.

The only tournament played on the surface last year was in San Jose.

''It's a surface we are not familiar with because it doesn't meet regulations,'' Spain captain Albert Costa said. ''Only one player has played on it this year and that was Fernando Verdasco.

''If we wanted to train on a similar one, we can't install one as it doesn't meet requirements.''

The July 8-10 series will be played in Austin, Texas.

Spain has won the Davis Cup four times since 2000, while the Americans have won a record 32 times.

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