Davis Cup: In Innsbruck and Turin only group victory counts
On Monday, the ITF announced its decision on the venues for the Davis Cup final round in 2021. If you play in Madrid, you have a slight advantage.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Apr 15, 2021, 08:58 pm
239, 574, 667. These are the sea heights at which the final round of the Davis Cup is to be played from November 25, 2021. Although the ITF had requested in its tender that the altitude of the two additional locations to Madrid (667 meters) should not differ too much, only Innsbruck (574 meters) came really close. For Turin, on the other hand, the fact that the group matches and the quarter-finals are scheduled one day earlier than in Innsbruck - and the players thus have one more day to acclimatize for the absolute final phase in the Spanish capital.
In addition: One or the other player may already be in Turin in the days before the Davis Cup. The ATP final will take place there for the first time. With a view to the participating nations (Croatia, Australia, Hungary, Italy, USA, Colombia), if the worst comes to the worst, it should be a local hero: Matteo Berrettini or Jannik Sinner send their regards.
Djokovic, Thiem, Zverev in Innsbruck
The potential cast in Innsbruck has it all, of course - in addition to the dream constellation with Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev. Because the British could serve with Andy Murray in Tyrol, although he is no longer number one in the country. With Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the French have two veterans up their sleeve who adorn every national team. Only the Czech Republic does not currently have a man with a big name at hand after the resignation of Tomas Berdych (the best player is Jiri Vesely at number 73 in the ATP charts).
The defending champions from Spain are of course at home, in the Caja Magica. And they have perhaps the most difficult task with the Russians and a very easy one with Ecuador. In terms of paper, the second group in Madrid is led by the Canadians ahead of Sweden and Kazakhstan. Special gimmick: At 667 meters above sea level, a second group place is enough to qualify for the quarter-finals. In Innsbruck and Turin only the group winners get into the knockout phase.