Davis Cup: Are the Russians threatened with a Pyrrhic victory?
If you look at the nominations for the Davis Cup finals in Innsbruck, Madrid and Turin, then the Russian team around Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev should start the race as favorites.
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Nov 01, 2021, 11:16 am
Nobody listens to him in tennis, Alexander Zverev quickly put on record on Tuesday evening at his press conference after the success against Filip Krajinovic. What is certain, however, is that the season is far too long for the tennis professionals. From this, Zverev has consequently drawn the conclusion to go on vacation after the ATP Finals in Turin. And to forego taking part in the Davis Cup final round in Innsbruck (quite apart from that, the German number one is no friend of the new format).
Zverev's big goal is to win a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in the coming year. The same can be said about Andrey Rublev and Matteo Berrettini , Daniil Medvedev would like to follow the US Open triumph in Melbourne with the next one, Novak Djokovic again win his 21st Grand Slam title with his favorite major (subject to the question whether the industry leader can get used to the organizational circumstances).
Medvedev and Rublev as favorites
In contrast to Zverev, the aforementioned players will all initially play their country matches at different locations: the Russians in Madrid, Djokovic in Innsbruck, Berrettini in Turin. According to the nominations, the superstars should meet again for the big final break in the Caja Magica of Madrid. And given the line-ups, it would be almost sensational if Medvedev and Rublev didn't lead the Russian team to the final. That will take place on December 5th.
By this date, Alexander Zverev will have accumulated a decent tan and will have put away the stress of the successful 2021 season in the pool or on a sandy beach. Perhaps the Olympic champion from Tokyo is already so excited about tennis that he would like to start training for 2022. Whoever is in the race in Madrid until the final Sunday, on the other hand, will be one thing first and foremost: tired.
Zverev - no longer the "real" Davis Cup
At least one team, of course, also happy, like the Russians at the ATP Cup 2021. The starting position was different, however, after the quarantine, the players wanted to get back on the court as soon as possible. And fight for the Australian Open. Madrid's euphoria won't last that long. And the heavy legs after a long season have to be loosened up again.
A successful Davis Cup tournament could therefore become a Pyrrhic victory. A triumph from which the winners come out almost weakened. On the other hand: A victory like this in the most traditional team competition in tennis still looks good in a player's vita. Even if, according to Alexander Zverev, the Davis Cup is no longer the "real" one.