Spanish players are reacting to the removal of Conchita Martinez as the Davis Cup and Fed Cup captain, while a Spanish newspaper says that Sergi Bruguera is likely to be named her replacement.

The Spanish tennis federation (RFET) recently announced that it would not be keeping Martinez in either position. The former Grand Slam champion had been Spain's Fed Cup captain and was also appointed Davis Cup captain in 2015, following a period of conflict between the players and the federation about previous captain Gala Leon Garcia.

"Conchita deserves maximum recognition," said top-ranked Rafael Nadal, speaking at a sponsor event this week. "She came in at a complicated moment [and] she did a job that was important.

"[In 2016], there was a new regime [at the federation] and they wanted new people. The players recognized that, having been in the second group [of Davis Cup] for two years, Conchita merited a year in the World Group because she had earned it.

"This year, the players stood on the sidelines...I don't have any problem with Conchita, but the federation decides the captain. There are other renowned former players who also merit this position," he added.

Garbine Muguruza, who was coached by Martinez while winning the title at Wimbledon, would have preferred to still have her as Fed Cup captain.

"It's delicate,'' said the WTA No. 1 at the WTA event in Tokyo. "I think the decision has to be that of the federation.

"But I would like Conchita to have remained. I will always have a very good relationship with her."

Feliciano Lopez, who regularly plays Davis Cup for Spain, said that Martinez "has given everything for the team and there has always been a good atmosphere with her."

"I think Conchita has a right to be hurt," he said. "I think we could have avoided the controversy that has been created."

Carla Suarez Navarro indicated at least some of the players had not been asked about the decision. "Personally, no one from the federation contacted me to ask or inform me that they were removing Conchita," she told *Mundo Deportivo*. "On such a subject they should have consulted."

The federation plans to announce a new Davis Cup and Fed Cup captain.