Argentina to host Davis Cup final on indoor carpet

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Argentina is set to defy the International Tennis Federation and choose a small indoor stadium to maximize its chance of winning its first Davis Cup title.

The Argentine Tennis Association ruled out playing the November final on outdoor clay at its regular site, the 14,000-seat Parque Roca Stadium, and narrowed its choice to indoor venues that currently fall short of stringent ITF requirements.

"We're between Luna Park and the Orfeo," ATA vice president Arturo Grimaldi told Cordoba-based radio station Radio Mitre on Wednesday.

Parque Roca in Buenos Aires, where Argentina beat Russia 3-2 in last weekend's semifinals, has been "pretty much thrown out" as it would be nearly impossible to construct a roof in time for the final against Spain from Nov. 21-23, in late spring, Grimaldi said.

That means Argentina will stage a home tie not on outdoor clay for the first time ever. Argentina has been hosting ties since 1931.

A faster surface, either on carpet or hard-court, was also the wish of Argentina captain Alberto Mancini and his players, who want to try and negate the clay-savvy Spaniards.

Spain was led by four-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal.

Orfeo Stadium, in the Cordoba home city of Argentina's top player David Nalbandian, has "a very good" chance, Grimaldi said.

The Orfeo has a fast synthetic surface but the stadium falls short of the 12,000 seats required by the ITF to host a final. Local officials have said they plan to build an additional 3,000 seats to meet minimum seating needs, which ITF officials said on Tuesday were not open to negotiation.

Luna Park was an indoor stadium in downtown Buenos Aires that would also have to add seating.

Grimaldi's comments contradict declarations on Tuesday in Madrid by ATA head Enrique Morea, who said the final would most likely be held in Buenos Aires, given logistical problems in Cordoba.

Argentina must submit its application for the host venue by Monday to the ITF, which will likely decide within a week if it meets criteria.

It's the first Davis Cup final to be hosted by Argentina. The Argentines lost their previous finals to Russia in 2006 in Moscow and to the U.S. in 1981 in Ohio.