Roger Federer will not be travelling to Spain to play Switzerland's first-round Davis Cup tie, report Swiss press. The world No. 1 is said to be reluctant to play on European clay just before the start of U.S. hardcourt events in Indian Wells and Miami.
Switzerland's No. 2, Stanislas Wawrinka, is also unconfirmed for the tie. His wife is expecitng their first child in February.
Spain, meanwhile, is expected to field a formidable squad as it kicks off its title defense on the country's favored red dirt. Four-time French Open Rafael Nadal is scheduled to lead the team, with Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Feliciano Lopez among the other potential members. The tie is scheduled for March 5-7. --Kamakshi Tandon