The Spanish Tennis Federation announced Monday that Feliciano Lopez will make his Davis Cup debut in the final against Australia in Melbourne later this month.
The 22-year-old Lopez, who is ranked 28th in the world, will join fellow Spaniards Juan Carlos Ferrero and veterans Carlos Moya and Alex Corretja for the tie (best of five series) on grass November 28-30.
Lopez, who replaces former French Open champion Albert Costa, will team up in the doubles with Corretja, while French Open champion and world number two Ferrero and Moya will play the singles matches.
The big-serving Lopez reached the fourth round of Wimbledon twice and is considered one of Spain's best players on grass. The Australians are confident their portable grasscourt will be a favorable surface against the Spaniards, who are not known for their prowess on grass.
Australia has experienced grasscourt players and will be represented by 2002 Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt and 2003 Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis in singles. Todd Woodbridge has won a record-equalling eight Wimbledon doubles titles while his partner Wayne Arthurs, also has a fine grass record.