BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Defending champion Spain will not have to face Roger Federer when it hosts Switzerland in a bullring in the Davis Cup opener.
The Spanish have chosen Logrono’s 11,000-capacity Plaza de Toros for the first-round series March 5-7. The bullring features a retractable roof, with the hosts likely to choose a clay surface.
An anticipated Federer-Rafael Nadal match will not happen, however, after the Swiss tennis federation confirmed Tuesday that the top-ranked player will not take part.
Swiss No. 2 Stanislas Wawrinka is also in doubt because his wife is expected to have a baby near tournament time.
Spain defended its title in November with a 5-0 sweep of the Czech Republic.