Spanish captain released from hospital

BARCELONA - Spanish Davis Cup captain Albert Costa was likely to skip Friday’s start of the national tennis championships in Seville after being released from hospital following a heart scare.

The 34-year-old, who won the French Open in 2002, was only a few days removed from his team’s runaway success in the Davis Cup final, sweeping the Czech Republic for a fourth title this decade.

Costa was admitted to hospital after complaining of discomfort as he travelled to his office.

Doctors believe the problems may have been stress related after he suffered chest pains, palpitations and hypertension.

The captain spent only a few hours in hospital, officials said. He was released and sent home, with doctors prescribing treatment and three days of rest.

Costa capped a wildly successful first year as captain after taking over from Emilio Sanchez, who piloted the team to the Davis Cup title a year ago in Argentina.