Richard Pagliaro here, bringing you the latest from the world of tennis. Our subject today? The seasoned and highly respected Feliciano Lopez, who knows a thing or two about leading and conquering in the world of Davis Cup.
The International Tennis Federation has confirmed that Lopez, a former world No. 12, will remain at the helm as the Davis Cup Final 8 Tournament Director for another three years. He initially took on the role in 2023 and 2024, guiding the event when it was held in Malaga, Spain. An interesting sidelight to last year’s tournament was when Lopez was present as Rafael Nadal, his good friend and former Davis Cup partner, gave a moving farewell, wrapping up his illustrious career at the 2024 Davis Cup in November.
Looking ahead, Lopez is set to manage the Davis Cup Final 8 in its new venue in Italy from 2025 through 2027. “Being part of the Davis Cup meant the world to me as a player,” Lopez shares. “It’s been an absolute honor to direct the Final 8 these past couple of years. The ITF’s continued faith in me is something I deeply value, and I’m thrilled to take this exciting journey to Italy for the next stretch.”
So, mark your calendars! The 2025 Davis Cup Final 8 is scheduled for November 18-23 at the Super Tennis Arena in Bologna Fiere. Lopez’s legacy in the Davis Cup is a storied one—having first represented Spain in 2003, he played a vital role in securing victories for his team in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2019, boasting a 19-23 win-loss record over 31 ties.
One of Lopez’s most celebrated performances was during the 2008 final. There, he took on Juan Martin del Potro in a thrilling four-set showdown, helping Spain achieve a stunning victory over the favored home team of Argentina, despite Spain missing the powerhouse Nadal. David Nalbandian and del Potro were formidable opponents, but thanks to Lopez’s incredible grit and skill, Spain triumphed and carried home the coveted trophy.
