Juan Carlos Ferrero.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BARCELONA, Spain -- Spain captain Albert Costa has named Juan Carlos Ferrero as the first substitute for the defending champion's Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic.

Ferrero, who won singles matches in Spain's quarter-final and semifinal victories, joins Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez in the squad for the Dec. 4-6 best-of-five series.

Costa says Ferrero's experience provides an addition that is "very important for the team."

Ferrero holds an overall 17-7 record in the Davis Cup play and was a member of Spain's 2000 and 2004 winning teams.

This year's final will be played on indoor clay at Barcelona's Palau Sant Jordi.