The Spanish Davis Cup team will have a new look when it opens its title defense in early March of 2009 at home against Novak Djokovic and Serbia. A captain is lost, but the No. 1 player in the world, presumably, is gained.

Captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario announced on Monday, one day after his team clinched the 2008 title, that he is stepping down as head man. The Spaniards stunned the host Argentines 3-1 in Mar del Plata, taking the doubles rubber and getting singles wins from Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco, who also teamed up to capture the doubles point.

“I will not be there for the tie against Serbia,” Sanchez said of Spain’s 2009 Davis Cup opener. The defending champs will host Novak Djokovic and company in early March. “I started something three years ago and the cycle is now complete with this reward for all the players, and I hope that whoever replaces me can share all the magical moments I have experienced,” Sanchez added.

Albert Costa, who was a member of Spain’s 2000 Davis Cup-winning squad and now coaches Lopez, is the favorite to replace Sanchez.

As for Argentine captain Alberto Mancini, he has also made a decision, but will not yet disclose his plans. “This is something I have already decided, but the only people who know are me and the people who need to be aware,” Mancini explained. “This is not the right moment to talk about that.” Argentina has still never won a Davis Cup title.

While the Spanish team will lose Sanchez Vicario, one can only assume that it will gain Rafael Nadal, the No. 1 player in the world. After all, he played a role in Spain’s quarterfinal and semifinal Davis Cup wins and he would have been a factor in the final had knee tendinitis not derailed the end of his season. Nadal opened Spain’s quarterfinal victory over Germany with a straight-set defeat of Nicolas Kiefer. He scored two singles wins, including the clincher, against the United States in the semifinals. Nadal overcame Sam Querrey in four sets on Day 1 and then finished off the tie with a straight-set demolition of Andy Roddick.

It also has to be assumed that Nadal will be more than eager to return to Davis Cup action based on what he had to say this week. He was not on hand in Mar del Plata, but he was certainly following all of the action.

Nadal  watched on television, “but not without a huge case of nerves,” as he pointed out.

“I’m so happy for them they really deserved it,” said Nadal. “It’s a pain for me not to be able to be there, but I’m embracing my teammates. The guys have done something impressive, winning away in Argentina. It’s tougher than our two Davis Cups at home (Barcelona, 2000 and Seville 2004). They have made more history in a spectacular way, this is something extraordinary.”

“Not being here is like a punishment for Rafa,” said one member of Nadal’s physio team, with whom the to-ranked player was spending the weekend. “He’s not enjoying his situation at all.”

“It’s impossible for me to be happier,” Nadal added.

Well, he might be even happier if he is on the court whenever Spain wins its fourth Davis Cup trophy.

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