2008 Davis Cup final – Mar del Plata, Argentina

The 2008 Davis Cup final between Argentina and Spain on November 21-23 will be held at the Islas Malvinas Stadium in Mar del Plata, organizers have confirmed on Friday.

The decision was made after consideration of plans proposed by the Argentine Tennis Association and the site visit reports of Mar del Plata and Cordoba made by International Tennis Federation representatives.

“This was one of the most challenging decisions we have made during my decade-long tenure on the Davis Cup Committee,” said Juan Margets, vice- president of the ITF — the body which owns and manages the Davis Cup.

“There were many factors to consider including the wishes of the players to play on an indoor hard court, the feasibility of increasing the venue to the 12,000-seat minimum required in the regulations and other factors that contribute to the success of a Davis Cup final.

“In the end, the committee unanimously felt that Mar del Plata was the most appropriate venue for the 2008 final,” he added.

The Argentine Tennis Association proposed both stadiums last month, ruling out its regular venue, the 14,000-seat outdoor clay Parque Roca Stadium in Buenos Aires, because of the risk of late spring rain and the superior mastery of clay by Spain — led by top-ranked Rafael Nadal.

Argentina beat Russia in the Davis Cup semifinals last month, putting them into their third Davis Cup final and first at home.

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SOURCE:
“ITF approve venue for Davis Cup final”
World Sports
CNN International // OnLine //
October 10, 2008
http://www.cnn.com
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/10/10/tennis.davis/