Davis Cup withdrawal was for good of team, says Nadal

MADRID, Mar 28 (Reuters) World number two Rafael Nadal said he ruled himself out of Spain's Davis Cup quarter-final tie against the United States because he did not want to let anyone down.

''I couldn't go without being 100 percent fit, because it would be cheating the fans and my team mates,'' Nadal was quoted as saying in the Spanish media today.

''It's different to play for myself in a tournament like this one here in Miami where it is only me who wins or loses.

But in the Davis Cup I play for my country and I couldn't risk not being in top form.'' Nadal was unable to play in Spain's 3-2 win over Switzerland in the first round in February because of injury, leaving his three team mates to carry the tie.

Nadal said his foot was painful and that it might not take another week playing on hard surfaces.

Tommy Robredo was called up in Nadal's place alongside David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco.

The tie is to be played indoors at the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on April 6-8.

The winners will face either Sweden or Argentina in the semi-finals on September 21-23.

REUTERS SAM HT1637