Top-ranked Rafael Nadal leads a strong clay-court team against the Americans, who are without James Blake and injured doubles player Bob Bryan. The best-of-five series starts Friday with two singles matches at the 21,000-seat Las Ventas bullfighting arena.
Andy Roddick and Mike Bryan return for their 11th straight Davis Cup competition. Sam Querrey will replace Blake in singles and Mardy Fish will pair with Bryan in doubles on Saturday.
Blake pulled out citing fatigue, and Bob Bryan has a left shoulder injury.
McEnroe believes the 39th-ranked Querrey, who is 0-2 against Nadal, can surprise the four-time French Open champion in his Davis Cup debut.
“He’s hitting the ball well, he feels comfortable and he likes playing on clay,” McEnroe said Wednesday. “Certainly playing against Rafa is the ultimate test, but I think he’s ready for it. If (Sam’s) playing a live match on Sunday, we’ll feel pretty good about our chances.”
Nadal isn’t taking Querrey for granted.
“Querrey’s a good player and he knows clay well so there is always a chance that he could end up with a victory,” he said. “It’s always a possibility.”
Spain hasn’t lost on clay in over nine years — a stretch of 15 ties — and Nadal has lost only three of his last 124 matches on the surface. Nadal beat Roddick on clay in Seville to help Spain clinch the 2004 title.
“There’s a possibility to beat him. It’s not a huge possibility,” McEnroe said. “Obviously we’re not going to outgrind Rafa Nadal on clay. If he’s tired, hopefully it’ll show up. We’re not really going to adjust our strategy but go out there and let it fly ... and take our chances.”
The Spanish team also includes No. 5 David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco. Nadal (155) and Ferrer (130) each have more singles wins on clay than the entire U.S. Davis Cup roster. The U.S. team has 86, including 67 by Roddick.
Nadal said any concerns about fatigue will be forgotten by the first singles match.
“It’s true that I’ve had an intense season, but to play at home against the United States in a Davis Cup semifinal is an extra motivation for me,” said Nadal, who will be looking to steer Spain into its sixth final after winning a Wimbledon title and an Olympic gold medal.
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