BUENOS AIRES, Sept 27: Argentina’s leading player David Nalbandian wants the Davis Cup final against Spain in his central hometown of Cordoba.

Meanwhile, the Argentine Tennis Association received an extended deadline to Wednesday to choose a venue for its first home final from Nov 21 to 23.

The final venue has become a minor controversy as the AAT try to balance the wishes of its captain and players who want a fast indoor court to counter Spain and win their first Davis Cup, sponsors who want maximum exposure, and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), which wants a stadium with a minimum 12,000 seats.

Nalbandian, world ranked No 7, insisted the “players have the final word.”

“There are a lot interests at stake and everybody wants the final to be played at his city or province,” he told a news conference late Thursday in Cordoba, 750 kilometres northeast of Buenos Aires.

He said Orfeo Stadium in Cordoba has been used for three indoor tournaments, of which he won two and Davis Cup team-mate Agustin Calleri won the other one.“We are going to suffer a lot, but indoors is the most convenient for us and where they (Spain) feel worse,” Nalbandian added.

Argentina usually play at Parque Roca Stadium in Buenos Aires, where they beat Russia 3-2 in the semi-finals last weekend, but it wasn’t being considered because it wasn’t covered. The AAT has indicated the final will be on a fast indoor court, the first time Argentina will play a home tie not on outdoor clay.—AP