Fernando’s participation in next weekend’s Davis Cup final is up for question after dealing with severe pain to his adductor muscle and an iliopsoas contracture in the lower abdominal area, during his three set loss to Andy Murray. He underwent an ultrasound that ruled out any serious injury, and will know soon if the injury will have any affect on his participation in the Davis Cup final on the weekend of the 4-6 December in Barcelona.

“It is clear that for me to be at my best for Davis Cup, I will need to recover and try my best and today, after the match, I’ve been doing everything I had to do as a priority, before coming meet the press, but I think it is important. I’ve done what I had to do to try to recover from the fatigue of these three games against Federer, Del Potro and Murray.”

Fernando has previously missed two Davis Cup ties this year dealing with various injuries. Problems in a tendon injury in his left leg kept him from playing Spain’s opening tie against Serbia, while an micro tears in his abdominal muscles and a persistent foot injury kept him out of the recent semifinal against Israel.

If Fernando is confirmed to be sidelined for the final, Juan Carlos Ferrero will replace him on the team. Fernando was named to play not only singles, but doubles with Feliciano as well, so team captain Albert Costa would likely replace him with Rafael Nadal, who is a more experienced doubles player than David Ferrer or Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Fernando has been optimistic about his participation in the final, keeping positive even after his losses at the Year End Championships and hoping, if he is okayed to play in the Davis Cup final, to maintain his current level of play. He is also convinced that Rafa will, despite a poor showing in London, play his best in the Davis Cup final.

“I believe that Rafa in the Davis Cup final will be totally different from the Rafa here. I’d rather have Rafa on my side than any of the two players of the Czech Republic.”

(via marca)