After Alexander Zverev’s cancellation due to injury, the DTB team faces a daunting task in Rothenbaum. Oscar Otte and Jan-Lennard Struff could become heroes in Wednesday’s duel with France.
In sports, extra miraculous powers are sometimes awakened when leaders are injured. Whether it’s Michael Ballack (shortly before the 2010 World Cup) or Cristiano Ronaldo (2016 European Championship final), the DFB team and Portugal surpassed themselves when the leaders were gone. The German team, which will debut Wednesday in Rothenbaum without Alexander Zverev against France, are facing a similar Herculean task.
Struff before the Davis Cup: “We are here as a team and I’m in the mood”
Captain Michael Kohlmann only had 48 hours to improve the team’s depressed mood. At the press conference on Monday, the players were still sitting on the podium with a sad expression on their faces and exercising slogans of perseverance: “We are here together as a team and we are all ready. This is not someone who has to act as a leader”, Jan-Lennard Struff said defiantly. The number 132 of the world. joins the squad for Zverev and will likely play Adrian Mannarino (ATP 47) in the first individual (14:00) on Wednesday. Subsequently Oscar Otte (ATP 52) and Benjamin Bonzi (ATP 53) cross the swords of tennis. In the double final the still unbeaten Tim Pütz / Kevin Krawietz are in the center of the field.
Children and teens can participate in the Davis Cup for free
The German team will meet Belgium on Friday and Australia on Sunday. The top two in each group will directly qualify for the Davis Cup final in Málaga in November. After Zverev’s cancellation, Davis Cup organizer Kosmos fears that the matches may take place in empty ranks.
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Good news for all young tennis fans: with the action code “DavisCup2022” you can book free tickets for all spectators under the age of 18 at www.eventim.de.
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