Rafael Nadal's coach and uncle, Toni Nadal, has continued his criticism of the appointment of Gala Leon Garcia as Spain's first female Davis Cup captain.
Toni Nadal said earlier in the week that having a female captain was impractical as she wouldn't be able to enter the dressing room at all times.
However, his main gripe with Leon Garcia's appointment is that she is relatively unknown to his 14-time Grand Slam champion nephew and a host of Spain's other top players.
"I believe that for what they have achieved and how well-known they are, others like (Juan Carlos) Ferrero, (Sergi) Bruguera and (Alberto) Berasategui were more suited, nothing more," he told Spanish radio station Cadena SER in a head-to-head with Leon Garcia.
"It is strange that you have not been in contact with the players in the time you have been sporting director of the federation. I have spoken to Rafa, Feliciano (Lopez), David Ferrer and others and they don't know you.
"And it is them you have to have confidence in a captain."
However, he insisted that Rafael Nadal would still be available for selection as Spain look to get back into the World Group in 2015 after being relegated for the first time in 18 years by a defeat to Brazil earlier this month.
Leon Garcia defended her role in the Spanish tennis federation prior to her appointment, claiming she didn't want to interfere with the work being done by previous captain Carlos Moya.
"There was a captain and I worked day-to-day on other things.
"In any case, time will tell everything. I will work very hard so that this changes."
Rafael Nadal refused to enter into the debate as he attended an awards ceremony in his native Mallorca on Tuesday, but also said he had been surprised by the appointment.
Lopez, meanwhile, defended Toni Nadal's comments and complained that the players hadn't been consulted on the appointment.
"Toni is not at all a sexist person, his comments could be misinterpreted. I like him a lot because he is a guy who says what he thinks.
"They have appointed Gala without consulting any players. Before the president of the Spanish tennis federation used to sound us out and see what we thought.
"Also it is true that previous captains had been our coaches or old team-mates, which also helps facilitate the adaptation."
Leon Garcia, 40, played for 14 years on the WTA tour between 1991 and 2004, achieving a career high ranking of 27 in 2000.
Her appointment is the latest high profile move towards female coaches in the men's game after two-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray's decision to hire Amelie Mauresmo in June.
And the Scotsman tweeted his congratulations to Leon Garcia upon hearing of the news.
"Congrats to Gala Leon Garcia for becoming first female Spanish Davis cup captain today. hopefully first of many!"
Source: AFP
