Davis Cup: Substitute Evgeny Donskoy - the fifth wheel on the cup
Evgeny Donskoy did not appear as a substitute in a single game of the Russian team in Madrid, but was allowed to raise the winner's cup in the end and thus immortalized himself as Davis Cup champion. Now the Muscovite has revealed what it is like to watch such a triumph from the reserve bank and what relationship he has with his top colleagues.
by Ilya Portnoy
last edit: Dec 09, 2021, 07:45 pm
For Donskoy it was already the second Davis Cup in a row that he was not used. Two years ago, when the team was officially allowed to compete under the Russian flag in Madrid, there were only three players in the squad. Permanent captain Shamil Tarpichev relied on Rublev and Khachanov, who also harmonize well in doubles. For Donskoy it was a bigger disappointment in 2019 not to be placed than in this year's edition, as he revealed in an interview with the Russian television channel Match TV. Because at this time he was even higher in the world rankings (currently ATP 172) and the decision not to let him play was a sign that he still had room for improvement in singles and doubles. At the same time, it is also a motivation to train more and to show results.
“At the moment I see myself as a sparring partner. I try to train with everyone, to adopt everyone, to adapt. ”Physically, the Russian doesn't feel any signs of exhaustion and is ready to continue working on himself at the end of the season. It now depends more on the psychological component, i.e. the subsequent relaxation with the family. For Donskoy personally, it was, as he admits, one of the worst seasons ever - only three wins since August. Even the triumph as team boss at the ATP Cup in early 2021 could not comfort him. "I have nothing to do with that and it has absolutely no influence on my career." As captain, he only made a minimal contribution to the success of the ATP World Team. Now Donskoy is continuing to work on getting his career back on track. Sometimes the "most terrible" victories are the best medicine to get the curve back. Just like that of Andrey Rublev against Sweden's Elias Ymer in the quarter-finals, in which the number five in the world served on the match and almost gave it away. This was followed by sovereign performances against Germany (6: 4, 6: 0 Koepfer) and Croatia (6: 4, 7: 6 (5) against Gojo).
Donskoy about his Russian colleagues: "Only the bank accounts have changed, nothing else"
For the chemistry within the Russian team, however, it is completely irrelevant who has the greatest success in his portfolio. "We all see each other like normal people without a star factor playing a role," says Donskoy. Since he met his colleagues, "only the bank accounts have changed, nothing else". Aslan Karatsev is simply a good guy, Rublev is still the same, Khachanov has perhaps become a little more mature and Daniil Medvedev is “a real professor”.
For Donskoy, his 2017 win against Federer in Dubai remains the personal career highlight alongside the Davis Cup. At that time, he defeated the regained maestro after his Australian Open victory, and even after defending match points. The Muscovite is also on the registration list for the ATP Cup in a few weeks' time. It is doubtful whether it will finally be used here again. Karen Kchachanov is missing and is replaced by Roman Safiullin. The former top ten player and Paris Bercy winner of 2018 also cheered most of the time on the bench in Madrid, only in the meaningless double in the semifinals against Germany (Krawietz / Pütz) he stood by Karatsev's side.