A Truly Scrumptious Davis Cup Prospect: Rafael Nadal V. Roger Federer

The Davis Cup, after years in the doldrums, seems suddenly to have ignited into something a little special. Now with the incentive of a few ranking points at stake, the top players in the world have been more willing than ever to stand up and be counted at the business end of their countries’ endeavours. As a result, the home crowds have responded vociferously, the ties have won airtime on world television as well as growing column-inches in newspapers, and the players have been revealing the sort of patriotic passion normally reserved for the Olympics. The hottest property in Davis Cup is Team Spain. Champions in 2000, 2004 and 2008—and on their way to possibly their fourth title of the century this December—the men of Spain, swathed in red and gold, are the most glamorous squad in the world. But as the tennis world awaits the thrilling climax to this year’s competition, new excitement has been kindled in the calm and dignified environs of Geneva. Home of th...