Thiem manager Herwig Straka on possible Davis Cup finals in Austria: "Interesting, but still at an early stage"
In addition to Madrid, the ITF would like to entrust at least two other countries with hosting the early stages of the Davis Cup finals. Austria could be an option. In any case, the ÖTV wants to apply for it.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Jan 20, 2021, 09:58 am
Herwig Straka is currently in Adelaide, Dominic Thiem's manager and tournament boss in Vienna has not only traveled to Australia to serve his protégé. Straka also has an important role in the ATP, there is a lot to talk about this season, which is now in quarantine after a first flare-up in Antalya and Delray Beach or in Doha with the qualification for the first major of the year.
The Davis Cup plays a subordinate role, especially since it is organized by the ITF. However, Herwig Straka also pricked up his ears when the world association announced at the beginning of the week that the final round with 18 teams would not take place exclusively in Madrid, but that two other cities would each host two preliminary groups and a quarter-finals. The only requirement is that it should be in Europe.
Summit meeting between Thiem, Zverev and Djokovic?
Such a requirement naturally inspires the imagination of German-speaking tennis fans, especially since the draw for last year will still be valid in late autumn 2021: Austria and Germany were drawn into the same group, with Serbia one of the big favorites. Provided that Novak Djokovic competes this year, as in 2019, there would be a spectacular summit meeting with Dominic Thiem and probably Alexander Zverev, who had skipped the premiere in Madrid.
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The interest in Austria is there, now it's the association's turn. Should Austria get the bid, then it is very easy to imagine that Herwig Straka and his eI motion will be able to deal with the topic. Because the Strakas agency hosted the last two international matches at the Graz exhibition center against Australia in 2018 and in Premstätten against Uruguay at the beginning of 2020. With great success.
Davis Cup one month after the Erste Bank Open
“The European tennis associations and a few organizers, including us, were invited. That means we received the advertisement directly. The whole thing is still at a very early stage, ”Straka told tennisnet.com. The ÖTV will certainly advertise a possible event in Austria, for Straka and his team a multi-day team tournament from November 25, 2021 would be a challenge. Because the Erste Bank Open in the Wiener Stadthalle will come to an end almost exactly a month before that. He has to check the resources first, Straka continues, but: "It would certainly be interesting."
ÖTV has taken the first step. "We might get the unique chance to be part of this final tournament," said ÖTV President Magnus Brunner in a broadcast on Wednesday. "We have already submitted an official expression of interest."
And generally not an easy task: because the large halls are actually booked out for a long time towards the end of November. And the appearance of stars like Thiem, Djokovic and Zverev would require an appropriate stage. According to reports, however, the ITF is demanding a venue that is located at a similar altitude to Madrid. That would basically rule out Graz or Vienna. And Innsbruck or, should the German Tennis Association show interest, also bring Munich into discussion.
In any case, the ITF must now take the first step. Preferably in the direction of Austria or Germany.