This isn’t likely what organizers had in mind for the return
of the Davis Cup Finals amid yet another format change after last year’s
edition was called off because of the coronavirus pandemic.
After the debut of the 18-team event was held entirely in
Madrid over seven days in 2019, the main criticisms from players centered on
late-night matches played before mostly empty arenas and not enough rest
between matches. So organizers decided to spread this year’s tournament, which
starts on Thursday, over three different cities and 11 days.
But with coronavirus cases rising again in Europe, that has
become more complicated for tennis’ oldest team competition.
“Davis Cup was a competition where we could play in front of
incredible crowds,” French doubles specialist Pierre-Hughes Herbert said. “In
Madrid, we didn’t play in front of a full stadium. It was almost (like) closed
doors.”
France is in a group with Britain and the Czech Republic in
Innsbruck, where it will be behind closed doors.
“I’m sad for Austria, they have so many (coronavirus) cases.
I’m sad for the competition that it cannot be a full party,” added Herbert, who
teamed with French partner Nicolas Mahut to win the doubles title at the ATP
Finals on Sunday.
Each city hosts two groups of three teams each and at least
one quarterfinal, then the semifinals and final will be held in Madrid.
With Rafael Nadal unable to play for defending champion
Spain because of a left-foot injury that ended his season early, a Russia squad
featuring two top-10 players in No. 2 Daniil Medvedev and No. 5 Andrey Rublev
could be the team to beat.
“I feel like we can be the big favorites there with the team
we have,” said Medvedev, the U.S. Open champion.
Russia, which will be called RTF (Russian Tennis Federation)
for the event amid an ongoing doping suspension from international sports, is
in a group with Spain and Ecuador in Madrid.
Spain still has a strong team with Next Gen ATP Finals
champion Carlos Alcaraz and two top-20 players in Roberto Bautista Agut and
Pablo Carreno Busta.
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic leads Serbia’s team in Innsbruck
against host Austria and a Germany squad without ATP Finals champion Alexander
Zverev.
Djokovic, who lost to Zvevev in the semifinals of the ATP
Finals and failed to win a medal for Serbia at the Tokyo Olympics, said he is
“very motivated to play for my country.”
“I like my chances against anybody in the Davis Cup, really,
(but) obviously Davis Cup is a team competition,” Djokovic said. “It doesn’t
depend on me only. We have to try to win another singles or at least one
singles, one doubles. ... So hopefully the other guys are fit and ready.”
A United States team featuring No. 24 John Isner and No. 26
Reilly Opelka — who are both nearly 7-feet tall — faces host Italy and Colombia
in Turin on the same super-fast court that was used for the ATP Finals.
The Americans are seeking a record-extending 33rd title in
the competition.
“We have one of the best serving teams,” said U.S. doubles
specialist Rajeev Ram, who should play with Jack Sock, another big server.
“That’s a big advantage for us. The courts are quick here. That’s suitable for
everyone on our team.”
Host Italy lost Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini to
injury but still has new top-10 player Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego, who is
from Turin.
Each matchup on indoor hard courts is a best-of-three series
featuring two singles and one doubles match. The six group winners plus the two
second-place teams with the best records based on sets and games will advance
to the quarterfinals. -AP