Depth and Desire Keys for U.S. Davis Cup Quest

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Picture credit score: Mike McNulty/Getty for ITF Davis Cup 

U.S. stars confirmed the mettle to medal on the Paris Olympics.

Now, Staff USA is united in its quest to seize the Davis Cup. 

Extra: TC Suspends Jon Wertheim

The USA will face Australia on Thursday in a quarterfinal conflict of the 2 most profitable nations in Davis Cup historical past in Malaga, Spain.

The USA is taking part in for a record-extending thirty third Davis Cup championship—and first Davis Cup crown since 2007 when it beat Russia within the ultimate staged in Portland, Oregon.

The 28-time Davis Cup champion Australia was runner-up to Italy final 12 months.

Captain Lleyton Hewitt’s squad is taking part in for its first Davis Cup championship since 2003.

Assembly the media in Malaga right this moment, Captain Bob Bryan, who performed a key position on the 2007 championship squad, acknowledged the American goal merely.

“The dream is to win the Cup,” Captain Bob Bryan stated. “I believe all of us have the assumption. Clearly, , the primary hurdle is Australia, so we’re ultra-focused on that. We will be ready.

“The practices are going properly. We now have an awesome roster, , from high to backside.”

US Open and ATP Finals finalist Taylor Fritz made the journey from Turin to Malaga to steer an American squad that options former Australian Open semifinalist Tommy Paul, former US Open semifinalist Ben Shelton and Olympic doubles silver medal winners Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.

“I needn’t undergo all these guys. They’ve tons of expertise,” Captain Bryan stated. “Ben has joined the crew for the primary time. We’re very pumped to have him with us, and he clearly comes from faculty tennis. He is aware of what these crew occasions are all about and, , being a Laver Cup participant, as properly.”

American No. 1 Fritz stated he’s feeling fatigued and fired up after his historic run in Turin the place he turned the primary American since James Blake in 2006 to contest the ATP Finals title match.

“I really feel good. Clearly it has been a protracted 12 months,” Fritz stated. “I am fairly worn out, however as soon as I am right here, as soon as I am on the courtroom, , taking part in this competitors with the crew, there isn’t any means that I am not going to go on the courtroom and really feel pumped up and really feel motivated to play.

“I believe the truth that it is a crew occasion, taking part in for all these guys, taking part in for the U.S., , though it has been a protracted 12 months, it provides me that additional motivation that I am not nervous that I will be capable to go on the market and provides it every part.”

Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur, who owns a 5-4 report vs. Fritz, leads an Australian crew that options Alexei Popyrin, the person who shocked Novak Djokovic on the US Open, US Open doubles champion Jordan Thompson, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Matthew Ebden.

Aussies Matthew Ebden and John Friends edged Krajicek and Ram, 10-8 within the match tiebreaker, to win the Olympic doubles gold medal. Fritz and Paul took the Olympic bronze medal in Paris.

In its storied 104-year Davis Cup historical past, Australia made its mark as the one nation to rally from an 0-2 deficit within the ultimate when it fought again from 0-2 right down to defeat america within the 1939 ultimate.

Captain Bryan factors to his squad’s versatility—all 5 gamers can play doubles as Fritz and Shelton partnered at Laver Cup—expertise and stylistic selection as strengths.

The winner of the Australia v. USA quarterfinal will face both defending-champion Italy led by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner or Argentina within the top-half semifinal.

“Davis Cup’s totally different. The ambiance can deliver out particular performances in gamers,” Bob Bryan stated. “You will have seen a variety of huge upsets on this occasion over time.

“Look, [Italy] received it final 12 months for a purpose. They are a powerful crew, Italy. However there’s a variety of groups that may win this event, and we now have the assumption we will do it.”

Whereas the Individuals praised king of clay Rafael Nadal forward of his farewell, they will not be courtside when the 22-time Grand Slam champion faces Netherlands right this moment.

“We won’t get tickets,” Captain Bryan stated. “I believe the tickets are going for $100,000. If you wish to pay for me, I will go (smiling).”