Alexander Zverev gears up for his November role as a noble fan
A large portion of melancholy already swung in at the weekend in Frankfurt am Main. The German team won the first round duel against Hungary 5-0.
by Ulrike Weinrich
last edit: Feb 03, 2019, 08:18 am
And you had the feeling that teams and fans in the Fraport Arena couldn't get enough of the unique Davis Cup flair. Even the fourth individual was still played, although the decision had long been in favor of the hosts and according to the statutes there would have been no obligation to continue playing.
Let us recall 2014 when the DTB team found no player in the 4-1 win against Spain, incidentally at their own location in Frankfurt, to bring the first of the two insignificant individuals to the stage. It was different now.
It is just like so often in life: only when something is lost can you recognize the true value of a thing. The mood on Saturday evening fluctuated between wistfulness and uncertainty.
Alexander Zverev will be available for the DTB team in February 2020 at the earliest, because the third in the world rankings had made it clear months ago that he was taking part in the newly created and harshly criticized final round in Madrid from November 18 to 24, 2019 late in the season.
"Sascha has different rolls to bake than we do" Tim Pütz on Alexander Zverev
But "Sascha" wants to fully live out his role as a fan of the 18 teams. "I will probably be there in the Maldives and watch the German boys from there," said the 21-year-old, who made a brilliant impression on the Main throughout the week. Both on the court and as an approachable ambassador for his sport among fans. And as you can also hear as a formidable skat player in the team
In any case, his colleagues can completely understand the decision of their number one in the matter of waiving the final round. "Sascha has other rolls to bake than we do," said double specialist Tim Pütz, referring to Zverev's standing in world tennis - including the physical and mental strain on the ATP world champion during the year.
Struff conjures up the spirit of Madrid: "We will step on the gas"
Jan-Lennard Struff still wanted to kindle something like the spirit of Madrid in the metropolis on the Main. "Of course we would have a better team with Sascha, but we also have a good team - and we will step on the gas," promised the world ranking 51. from Warstein.
Team boss Michael Kohlmann is very skeptical about the days of Madrid. Especially when he sees the details of how the tournament works. For example, it should be played in a total of three halls. Davis Cup flair at the test tube high-gloss event? Rather a cheap copy of it!
Despite the harsh criticism of the reform from all sides, Kohlmann was not keen to talk badly about everything: "You have to go through it in order to be able to say at the end of the day that it is not mine Team are together for a week. "
Pütz wants to "give the new format a chance"
With the exception of Zverev, all players nominated for Frankfurt have indicated their willingness to compete in Madrid. "The format has big gaps, but in the discussion it goes down that we all like to play for our country," said German number two Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Pütz still wants to be open when it comes to the final round. "Of course I would have found it better to play a quarter-finals in April. But I want to give the new format a chance," said the Frankfurt native, adding: "You can curse the date, but not the whole competition."