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Journalism of Courage
MADRID, April 6: Spain’s Davis Cup captain Manuel Santana described French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten as “a complete clown” in an attack on the Brazil player’s behaviour at the weekend.
Santana’s criticism followed Spain’s 3-2 victory over Brazil in their world group first-round clash in Porto Alegre. The Spanish captain said Kuerten had been verbally abusing him from the court.
“Kuerten was calling me all sort of names. His behaviour was incomprehensible and he showed he was a complete clown. At least the Spanish players showed him how to play with dignity,” Santana said.
Spain’s players also came under a hail of abuse from the Brazilian spectators but, according to Alex Corretja, their attempts to unsettle him backfired.
Corretja said: “The insults showed a lack of respect but all they did was motivate more.”
Moya clinched Spain’s victory by beating Fernando Meligeni, the first time in 11 years a Spanish player had won the final match with the tie at stake.
