David Ferrer was unable to lead Spain all the way to a Davis Cup title after they were beaten in the final by home favourites Italy.
Spain were without the injured Carlos Alcaraz, but had still managed to reach the final after victories over both Czechia and Germany.
However, they were faced against very tough opposition in the final as they took on two-time defending Davis Cup champions Italy, who were also without their top two singles players in Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti.
Ferrer suffered heartbreak in the Davis Cup last year, and he was faced with the tough task of managing his players against the majorly Italian support in Bologna.
What David Ferrer told Jaume Munar about the Italian crowd
Matteo Berrettini beat Pablo Carreno Busta in the first rubber of the Davis Cup Finals, meaning that Italy only needed one more victory to secure a third consecutive title.
This meant that it was in the hands of Jaume Munar, who had previously lost to Alexander Zverev, to keep the tie alive for Spain.
Munar made a great start in this bid after going a set and a break up on Flavio Cobolli, before eventually losing the match 1-6 7-6(5) 7-5, as Italy made history in Bologna.
The Italian crowd were very involved throughout this match, and a journalist in the Spain post-match press conference suggested there could have been some booing towards Munar.
When Ferrer was asked what he told Munar in these difficult moments throughout the match, he dismissed any claim that the Italian crowd went too far.
“The crowd was very gentleman. We don’t have to say nothing about the crowd,” answered Ferrer. “It’s normal to support his squadra.
“No, I try to say Jaume that he had to be focused with himself and nothing else. He did it. He did a really good match, very close match. Details of the match that could be win, and nothing.
“At the end Flavio Cobolli, he deserve win as well. He was very, very focused second set, and third set as well. We have to accept that is sport and we have to be positive. The good thing is that we did it this year in Davis Cup.”
David Ferrer explains what he is taking from this year’s Davis Cup run
Although they ended up in the final, Spain nearly did not even reach the ‘Final 8’ in Bologna, as they were two matches down in their Qualifier tie against Denmark back in September.
Ferrer, who has won the Davis Cup three times as a player, was then asked to speak about the positives he has taken from his best run so far as Spain’s captain.
“Well, is difficult to say,” said the former world number three. “The group, they know…it’s a lot. That’s important thing. They support a lot all this week. The atmosphere is nice. Is very easy work with them.
“I think they are better players to be ready next year. Of course, I say to them after we lose that they have to be proud. Now is time to rest.
“Yes, never is easy play for your country and playing in Davis Cup. Well, they are amazing competitors. As well, I have lucky because they are great players.”
Should Jannik Sinner have played in the Davis Cup this year?
Spain have also been rewarded for their run to the final, as they have now received an automatic bye to the second round of the Davis Cup Qualifier rounds.
Instead of competing in February, Spain will now await one of the winners from the first round Qualifier ties to play them in September.
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