Nadal rips captain over 'absurd' debate

Rafael Nadal criticized Spain's female Davis Cup captain on Tuesday for fueling a "false and absurd" debate that started when his coach and uncle questioned whether a woman could coach in the men's game.

The 14-time Grand Slam winner struck out at captain Gala Leon and the Spanish tennis federation.

"It seems strange to me, as Davis Cup captain, that instead of seeking union and harmony between players, captains and the federation, she has incited and fed a debate that is totally false and absurd," Nadal said.

Nadal said federation president Jose Escanuela was within his "right" to appoint Leon captain but "it seems unfair to me that they have wanted to shift the issue to a place that is evidently a clear issue of populism".

In September, Toni Nadal questioned Leon's appointment as Spain's first female Davis Cup captain by saying it was "preferable that (the captain) is someone with a background in the world of men's tennis".

Toni Nadal's comments were labeled sexist by politicians from Spain's leading political parties and in the media.

Gala's appointment was applauded by Andy Murray, who is coached by Amelie Mauresmo, and the International Tennis Federation.

Leon has since met with some Spanish players, but not Nadal.

"I'm not going to ask for forgiveness for being a woman," Leon said after a player meeting last month, which she described as "constructive and professional".

Nadal has been off the court since having his appendix removed this month. He announced on Tuesday he will resume playing in January.

In the 2015 Davis Cup, Spain has a bye in the March 6-8 opening round.

While Spain's Davis Cup team had never had a female captain, the Fed Cup team had a male captain, Miguel Margets, from 1993-2011. Margets led Spain to four Fed Cup titles from 1993-1996.

Meanwhile, Nadal is aiming to be fit for the Australian Open in January.

"As ever after a period when things haven't gone well, you're a bit more eager to (prepare) well, although there is uncertainty about how things will go.

"I hope to use December to prepare well. I'll have a month before things start in Australia. I hope and believe that's enough to get me to my best level."

Nadal last played at Basel in October and went under the knife on Nov 1.

He said the past few months had been "complicated" but said "a year in which you win a Grand Slam cannot be a bad year".

In June he won the French Open for the ninth time in 10 years.

"I'm very excited and I hope this year, from a health perspective, will allow me to compete the whole time and to feel good," said Nadal.