Romania has tabbed one of its legends to lead the nation back to the Fed Cup World Group.
The Romanian Tennis Federation has named Hall of Famer Ilie Nastase as its new Fed Cup captain.
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The former world No. 1 succeeds Alina Cercel-Tecsor, who will remain with the team as head coach, the Romanian Tennis Federation announced.
“This decision comes as part of the new FRT plan to bring the values of Romanian tennis to this team, a team with great chances to go back to the World Group and even to win the Fed Cup," the Romanian Tennis Federation announced. "Alina Cercel-Tecsor remains with the team as head coach.”
Nastase's appointment comes weeks after Mary Joe Fernandez stepped down as American Fed Cup captain and Tathiana Garbin was named to succeed Corrado Barazzutti as Italian Fed Cup captain.
The Czech Republic edged a Simona Halep-led Romanian team, 3-2, in the World Group first round. Angelique Kerber and Andrea Petkovic lifted Germany to a 4-1 win over host Romania in the World Group playoff in April.
Romania will host Belgium in the February 11-12th World Group II first round tie on hard court in Bucharest.
The fourth-ranked Halep is one of four Romanian women ranked in the WTA Top 100, joined by No. 28 Irina-Camelia Begu, No. 51 Monica Niculescu and No. 82 Sorana Cirstea.
The 70-year-old Nastase played a record 18 years for the Romanian Davis Cup team.
Nastase owns the Romanian Davis Cup records for most total wins (109-37), most singles wins (74-22) and most doubles wins (35-15). Nastase was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1991.
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