By Nick Georgandis

How do you replace a Davis Cup coach who was once ranked No. 2 in the world?

With a guy who was ranked No. 1.

On Thursday, Spain's Superior Sports Council announced that former No. 1 Carlos Moya is the new captain of his country's Davis Cup team.

Moya wasted no time in stating that the country's future success is predicated on the participation of current world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who did not participate in this year's competition that saw the Spaniards unexpectedly bounced by Canada.

"Nadal is a great professional who always has wanted to play Davis Cup except when he was injured," Moya said of his fellow Mallorcan. "With his fighting spirit, he's a perfect fit for Davis Cup. He's always given us an edge and it won't be any different this time around.

Moya and Nadal played together on Spain's 2004 Davis Cup team, which won the title. Moya is replacing Alex Corretja, who guided the squad to the 2011 title and finished as runners-up in 2012.

Spain will face Germany in the first round of the 2014 Davis Cup, with the Germans given the right to choose the surface.