Costa gets Sanchez backing

Emilio Sanchez has backed Albert Costa as the right man to take his place as captain of Spain's Davis Cup-winning team.

Sanchez confirmed after leading Spain to its third Davis Cup title this weekend with a 3-1 victory over Argentina in Mar del Plata that he would be stepping down from his position, and he feels Costa should be his replacement.

The 33-year-old Costa, a former French Open champion who climbed as high as sixth in the world during his playing days, is the coach of Spain's Davis Cup player Feliciano Lopez.

Costa was also a member of Spain's successful Davis Cup side in 2000.

"I think that he is my natural successor, he is very close to the group of players who make up the core of the team and has shown his qualities as a coach with Feliciano, who has shown a notable progression in recent times," said Sanchez.

Sanchez was speaking after he and Spain's triumphant Davis Cup team of David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco, Lopez and Marcel Granollers returned to Madrid early on Wednesday morning.

Lopez, who beat Juan Martin Del Potro in the singles and joined forces with Verdasco to down Agustin Calleri and David Nalbandian in the doubles as Spain claimed its first Davis Cup title on foreign soil, said: "Right now the only thing I can say is that I am experiencing one of the happiest times of my life."

Ferrer added: "In the next few days it will start to sink in what we've achieved."

Verdasco, who clinched the title for Spain and a first home defeat for Argentina since 1998 with a courageous five-set triumph over Jose Acasuso on Sunday, said: "It is the most special thing that has happened to me."

"It is something I've dreamed about since I was a child, to be able to play in the Davis Cup final and record the winning point. It is a dream come true and everybody is happy and in the clouds."

Spain's victory was all the more remarkable as it came without the services of injured world No.1 Rafael Nadal, but Verdasco believes his absence took the pressure off the rest of the players as few felt they were capable of upsetting hosts Argentina.

"It allowed us to be more relaxed and we made a point to everyone who doubted us," Verdasco said.

"Rafa is the No.1 and the best player in our country, but we also have many good players who could play at the level needed to win a Davis Cup tie."

"We would have liked him to have been there, but he was injured and we had to go out and do the best we could without him."

Spain is next in Davis Cup action in March, when it begins the defence of its title against Serbia.