ARGENTINA: TENNIS - Former Argentine tennis star Martin Jaite replaces Modesto Vazquez as Davis Cup captain

Record ID: 446766

  • Title: ARGENTINA: TENNIS - Former Argentine tennis star Martin Jaite replaces Modesto Vazquez as Davis Cup captain
  • Date: 21st December 2011
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (DECEMBER 20, 2011) (REUTERS) ( ** BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) VARIOUS OF NEW ARGENTINE DAVIS CUP CAPTAIN MARTIN JAITE AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) NEW ARGENTINE DAVIS CUP CAPTAIN MARTIN JAITE SAYING: "When I quit playing tennis in 1993, I dreamed of this opportunity, so I'm very happy, very content. I feel like the Argentine Tennis Association is giving me a chance to fulfil my dreams. And (Sub-Captain) Mariano (Zabaleta) and I are ten years apart but I know him. I've always said he's the ideal person to share this project with, so I can't say much more than that." GENERAL VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) NEW ARGENTINE DAVIS CUP CAPTAIN MARTIN JAITE SAYING: "I've always said the better the conditions on the team the more chances we have to win. We have a very good team, players with a lot of experience. We have our ace of spades, Martin del Potro. Without a doubt we're thinking about putting him on the team. But we think it's much easier to win when there's harmony on the team. There are thousands of examples. I hope we can win the big titles that Spain has won in recent years. Without a doubt, Argentina is a tennis power." VARIOUS OF NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) NEW ARGENTINE DAVIS CUP SUB-CAPTAIN MARIANO ZABALETA SAYING: "All the Argentine players are extremely important and Juan Martin del Potro I think is playing very well. Next year he's going for number one in the world, so we are going to do everything we can for him to get there. Of course, the entire country wants him to be there and we want it more than anyone. We are going to do what we can so he's there against Germany." VARIOUS OF NEWS CONFERENCE ENDING
  • Embargoed: 5th January 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina, Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVADIY2S9SFH8T0S9OJYXOEWDWN1
  • Story Text: Martin Jaite, Argentina's former world number 10 who coached compatriots David Nalbandian and Gaston Gaudio, said on Tuesday (December 20) he's looking to form a harmonious group after being named as his country's Davis Cup captain for the next two years.
    Former tour player Mariano Zabaleta will be Jaite's assistant, while former coach Modesto Vazquez was confirmed in the other role he has held since 2008 as head of the AAT's development department.
    "When I quit playing tennis in 1993, I dreamed of this opportunity, so I'm very happy, very content. I feel like the Argentine Tennis Association is giving me a chance to fulfil my dreams. And (Sub-Captain) Mariano (Zabaleta) and I are ten years apart but I know him. I've always said he's the ideal person to share this project with, so I can't say much more than that," the new captain said.
    Jaite, who played in the Davis Cup and won 12 singles titles on the ATP circuit, replaces Vazquez after Argentina lost the country's fourth final against Spain earlier this month.
    "I've always said the better the conditions on the team the more chances we have to win. We have a very good team, players with a lot of experience. We have our ace of spades, Martin del Potro. Without a doubt we're thinking about putting him on the team. But we think it's much easier to win when there's harmony on the team. There are thousands of examples. I hope we can win the big titles that Spain has won in recent years. Without a doubt, Argentina is a tennis power," Jaite added.
    Zabaleta, 33, was a brilliant junior who went on to win three senior titles before he retired last year. Zabaleta said the team would be based around star Juan Martin del Potro, who had climbed to world number four before having wrist surgery last year.
    "All the Argentine players are extremely important and Juan Martin del Potro I think is playing very well. Next year he's going for number one in the world, so we are going to do everything we can for him to get there. Of course, the entire country wants him to be there and we want it more than anyone. We are going to do what we can so he's there against Germany," he said.
    Argentina's Davis Cup finals include one in 1981 during the Guillermo Vilas era and three since 2006 but they have never won the trophy, most recently losing to Spain in Seville and at home in 2008. They also lost the 2006 final to Russia in Moscow.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register