Davis Cup: Debutants and a new sheriff for USA
In the first round of the 2023 Davis Cup, a number of young players will make their debut in the national jersey. The upheavals in the US team are particularly great.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jan 10, 2023, 11:55 am
The renunciation of ATP world champion Rajeev Ram still had consequences for Mardy Fish in his function (even if Fish is currently not allowed to actively work in professional tennis because he had advertised for a betting provider in the USA). Because the American association USTA announced that Fish's time as Davis Cup team boss has expired. The trigger for this was probably the fact that the USA traveled to Malaga for the final round with only four men and without the best-ranked doubles player, Ram.
Although Mardy Fish's successor has not yet been named, it is certain that three players will have their Davis Cup debut against Uzbekistan in early February: Jenson Brooksby, Mackenzie McDonald and doubles ace Austin Krajicek. In addition, with Tommy Paul and Rajeev Ram, there are two more or less experienced representatives for the USA. But that also means: Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, both in action at the United Cup, will be missing at least in the first Davis Cup round in 2023. Which against the Uzbeks, where Denis Istomin is the playing captain, shouldn't pose too much of a problem.
Draper ousts Murray
There will also be two debutants in the Swedish team, one of whom has a legendary father and name: Leo Borg is in the squad for the first time. The singles against Bosnia-Herzegovina will probably be contested by the brothers Mikael and Elias Ymer.
Otherwise? Croatia goes into the meeting with Austria with a full band, Dominic Thiem and Co. will have to stretch properly. Especially since, as is well known, it is played in Rijeka. Germany is probably the favorite in Trier against the Swiss due to the presence of Alexander Zverev. And in the UK, Jack Draper has ousted Andy Murray from the Davis Cup team for the first time. The British play in Colombia.
Here are the World Group 2023 pairings:
| home | Guest | location |
| Croatia | Austria | Rijeka |
| Germany | Switzerland | trier |
| Hungary | France | Tatabany |
| Colombia | Great Britain | Cota |
| Sweden | Bosnia Herzegovina | Stockholm |
| Norway | Serbia | Oslo |
| Netherlands | Slovakia | groningen |
| Uzbekistan | USA | Tashkent |
| Chile | Kazakhstan | La Serena |
| Finland | Argentina | Espoo |
| South Korea | Belgium | Seoul |
| Portugal | Czech Republic | Maia |