Conchita Martinez named Spain Davis Cup captain

Conchita Martinez is already Spain's Fed Cup captain

Former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez will take over as Spain's Davis Cup captain following the dismissal of Gala Leon Garcia.

Fed Cup team leader Martinez has been appointed until the end of 2015.

She is Spain's second female captain after Leon Garcia, who was appointed in September 2014 but had yet to oversee a tie.

Her first task will be to lead the team in the Euro/Africa Zone Group I tie in Russia, from 17-19 July.

Spain need to win in the tie in Vladivostok to have a chance of getting back into the elite World Group for next year's competition.

A Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) statement said: "We sought the best solution for the difficult task our nation faces."

Leon Garcia was sacked following the decision by RFET president Jose Luis Escanuela to step down on Thursday after he was suspended for failing to cooperate in a government investigation into the federation's finances.

Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer and 42 other high-profile figures in Spanish tennis last week issued a statement criticising what they said was poor organisation and a lack of transparency at the RFET.

Nadal's coach Toni Nadal questioned Leon's appointment last year, suggesting that she was under-qualified and did not know the players.

The federation said Martinez had spoken to some of the Spanish players before taking over the Davis Cup role.