Toni Nadal has given a lukewarm response to the decision by the Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) to appoint former women’s Tour player Gala Leon as Spain’s new Davis Cup captain.

The RFET handed the 40-year-old Leon responsibility for the country’s Davis Cup team following Carlos Moya’s decision to step aside.

Leon, the former world number 27, will become Spain’s first female Davis Cup captain.

Nadal, uncle and coach to 14-times grand slam champion Rafa, sounded puzzled when asked about the appointment.

Leon’s appointment could create problems “at dressing room level,” he told Spanish radio.

“I have had zero relations with Gala Leon and I believe Rafa Nadal also zero, he has never mentioned it to me,” he said.

“But it doesn’t matter, I have never spoken to her but that doesn’t mean anything.

“It would seem to be more normal if the captain had been someone like Juan Carlos Ferrero, or some ex-player of a certain level, which is what happened recently.”

Ferrero, who retired in 2012, has expressed a desire to captain the team one day.

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