Djokovic’s Challenge in the Davis Cup: Spain’s Last Hope

It is probably the worst possible scenario. With water up to our necks and in the hands of the most fearsome adversary. “It’s going to be difficult, they’re the toughest rival, but what are you going to do…” David Ferrer resigns himself, aware that the Spanish team finds itself between a rock and a hard place, waiting for the thumb to rise or fall. such Novak Djokovic, who apparently has won 24 majors and is not at all bad at competing, and more so on hard, and more indoors. Everything comes together. It all depends on the good or bad day of the Serbian, judge this Friday in the eliminatory that begins at 3:00 p.m. (Movistar). Spain, swept in Wednesday’s opener against the Czech Republic, 3-0, only has to beat the number one and his comrades because otherwise, their journey in this Davis Cup will be over.

“I don’t know who I’m going to play against tomorrow, but this is a team competition, in which we represent our country, so it’s about finding the best possible lineup to win. The 3-0 win against Korea was very important for us, because every match counts, even if you have already won before the doubles…”, the Balkan introduced in the conference room in Valencia, where after the icy take-off two days ago there is confidence the environmental rebound, with Nole as a great incentive. “Last year we did not qualify by a set, and that is what makes this competition so interesting and different from the rest of the experiences in my career. I hope we can win and qualify for Malaga [sede de la fase final]”, continued the one from Belgrade.

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After the crash on the first day, Spain’s luck depends largely on the greater inspiration of Djokovic, who on Wednesday landed at the Manises airport with his hands in his pockets and whistling, like someone who is going shopping. “Tired, but very excited,” he responded in almost perfect Spanish, happy and relaxed after having completed his 24th major in New York and having regained the lead of the circuit. The absent Carlos Alcaraz has lost it, to whom the Serbian apologizes.

Djokovic, on Thursday during his speech to journalists. Kai Forsterling (EFE)

“I always protect players in situations like his. Maybe you’re angry that he’s not here, because he’s 20 years old and I’m 36… But he already played last year, after winning the US Open. That shows passion for his country. I know that he loves to represent Spain and I am sure that he is going to win the Davis Cup with his national team. Don’t be angry with him… I myself haven’t played this tournament for many years, and the reaction in my country has been bad. It is difficult to always be perfect, to always be available. It’s an individual sport, and you represent yourself, but also your country. Just because he’s 20 years old doesn’t mean he’s a superman,” he argues while admitting with a smile: “That he’s not there is better for us.”

Guilt

Djokovic speaks without looking at the clock and with the scythe in his hand, knowing that he can take down the host of the final phase – November, Martín Carpena – and that he commands a reverential respect, despite the fact that the statistics say that his performance in the Davis Cup is far from that offered in the Grand Slams, equally impressive. Minor consolation for the Spanish dressing room. Since he debuted in the competition in 2004, the recent champion in Flushing Meadows has played 32 series, with a balance of 42 wins and 13 losses (76.3%); The percentage is higher in Australia (91.7%), Roland Garros (85.1%), Wimbledon (89.3%) and the US Open (87.1%). He does not reach the average of Rafael Nadal (88%) or Andy Murray (80.3%), and is slightly above Roger Federer (74.2%).

In 2010 he managed to lift the Salad Bowl, but since the new format was launched four years ago, Serbia has had one disappointment after another. His team lost in the quarterfinals in 2019 and in the semifinals in 2021, and last year they fell in the group stage. Nole did not participate for “personal reasons”, which were none other than the wedding of his brother Djordje. He did not parade through Valencia then and he does now, confident in redeeming himself – “I didn’t play then and I felt guilty” – and in being able to continue gaining a unique record on the racket. At his sides, Miomir Kecmanovic, Dusan Lajovic, the young Hamad Medjedovic (20) and the doubles player Nikola Cacic. Today he will jump the track and his captain, Viktor Troicki, warns and boasts: “he has the goal of going for the title and we have the best Serbian athlete in history.”

Djokovic and the Serbian basketball team, received on Tuesday in Belgrade. NOVAK DJUROVIC (REUTERS)

Djokovic has always expressed a deep sense of patriotism. Now, for more than a decade he has resided in Monte Carlo and in recent years he has been settling in Marbella, where he has acquired a mansion valued at more than 10 million euros. However, he regularly travels to Belgrade – where there was a mass bath at the beginning of this week – and enjoys his commitments with his team. “The feeling you have defending the colors of your country is totally different from what any other tournament gives you,” he has conveyed on more than one occasion. In fact, in 2011 he was awarded the Order of the Karadjordje Star of the first degree by the then Serbian president, Boris Tadic.

Back after last year’s short-lived desertion, the tennis player dreams of achieving the Olympic gold in 2024 that has eluded him so much. He has participated in four dates, but was denied all four times; The bronze in 2008 in Beijing is his greatest reward. With almost all the circuit records already in his pocket, he is decisively aiming for the Paris Games; Of course, to comply with the regulations you must play at least a couple of series between 2023 and 2024. Once you have crossed out a box, you will have another opportunity in the Malaga Finals or the February qualifiers, although the regulations of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) ) can make exceptions due to injury, explosion prior to the Olympic event, potential of the nation or when the professional has a significant career in Davis or the Games themselves, in the case of Djokovic.

“WE CAN’T BLAME PIQUÉ”

A. C.

During his speech prior to its premiere, Djokovic expressed himself in some phases in more than correct Spanish. An accomplished polyglot, he speaks Serbian, Croatian, English, Italian, French and German, in addition to having some knowledge of Chinese and increasingly fluent in the local language. Without going any further, his brother Marko, who has lived in Marbella for years, dominates him.

“I take it as a compliment that you say I speak Spanish. I’m still working on it. I understand what I mean. I hope that tomorrow the pavilion is full and there is a Davis atmosphere, which is what makes this competition special,” said the current head of the circuit, who has accumulated 390 weeks at the top.

Returning these days to the competition formation, still questioned, he responded: “I am not going to join the stream of criticism against Davis. I believe the ITF has the final decision and allowed the format change in 2019; Pique [impulsor del nuevo modelo y criticado estos días por algunos tenistas] joined together with his investment group. You can’t blame him for this change. If there is anyone to blame it is the ITF, because they made the decision.”

And he settled: “I think that this format is not ideal. The previous one had to be changed, but we have to find an intermediate point between the previous one and the current one. Serbia hasn’t played at home for four or five years, and it’s a missed opportunity for us to play in front of our people. “There is a lot of uncertainty, and I just hope this competition remains.”

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2023-09-15 03:18:20
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