ATP Cup: Germany is ready, healthy - and in a good mood
The German team for the ATP Cup has fully started training in Sydney. In contrast to other teams, there are no problems with corona infections at Zverev, Struff and Co.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Dec 30, 2021, 08:12 am
The Australian summer can have its hardships, the heat makes the players who have traveled from wintry Europe or North America a lot to cope with. In Sydney, where the ATP Cup will be held from January 1st, the temperatures should, according to reports, be pleasantly mild, but switching to a hall from time to time does not hurt. Especially since the players have a multifunctional hall available, which the German team boss Michael Kohlmann describes as great.
Unlike some other captains, Kohlmann can concentrate on the sporting side. While the Russian favorite team, for example, broke upinto its individual parts after the positive corona cases of Andrey Rublev , Evgeny Donskoy and Aslan Karatsev, the Germans started working completely and healthy on December 28th. Top man Alexander Zverev and number two, Jan-Lennard Struff , are still enjoying themselves in training, Yannick Hanfmann has to look for playmates from other teams.
Zverev opened against Norrie
The double aces Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz have already found what they are looking for, friendly showdowns with representatives from Argentina and Australia have already taken place over the past few days.
The boys are in a good mood, Kohlmann told tennisnet. And hot for the first match, which is scheduled for the evening session on January 2nd (live on Sky and ServusTV from 07:30 CET). Like the last time in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup final round in Innsbruck, it is against Great Britain, but this time with Zverev as number one, which clearly shifts the role of favorites towards Germany. Struff will open against Daniel Evans, Zverev then follows against Cameron Norrie.
France replaces Austria
In the first match of Group D, the Canadians are scheduled against the USA on Sunday, Denis Shapovalov, who tested positive a few days ago, is still on the official schedule. The Russians send Roman Safiullin into the race behind Daniil Medvedev. The defending champions will start against France with Ugo Humbert and Arthur Rinderknech, who replace the Austrians. All in all, not a bad mix for the German team.