Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Photo credit: Mike McNulty/Getty for the ITF Davis Cup
US stars showed off a medal at the Paris Olympics.
Now, Team USA is united in its quest to take the Davis Cup.
More: TC stops Jon Wertheim
The United States will face Australia on Thursday in the most successful Davis Cup quarterfinal match in Malaga, Spain..
The USA is playing for its record-extending 33rd Davis Cup title and first Davis Cup title since 2007 when it beat Russia in the final in Portland, Oregon.
Australia's 28-time Davis Cup champion finished second in Italy last year.
Captain Lleyton Hewitt The team is playing for its first Davis Cup tournament since 2003.
Meeting with the media in Malaga today, Captain Bob Bryan, who played a key role in the 2007 team, said the American goal was simple.
“The dream is to win the cup,” said captain Bob Bryan. “I think we all have a belief. Obviously, you know, the first hurdle is Australia, so we're very focused on that. We will be prepared.
“The practices are going well. We have a good list, you know, from top to bottom. “
US Open and ATP Finals Taylor Fritz traveled from Turin to Malaga to lead the American team in the Australian Open semi-finals Tommy Paul, US Open semifinalist Ben Shelton and two-time Olympic silver medalists Austin Krajicek again Rajeev Ram.
“There is no need to deal with all these young men. They have a lot of experience,” said Captain Bryan. “Ben has joined the team for the first time. We are very happy to have him, and he is obviously from the college of the coast. You know what these team events are about, and you know, being part of the Laver Cup. “
American No. 1 Fritz said he felt tired and fired up after his historic run in Turin where he became the first American since James Blake in 2006 to enter an ATP Finals title match.
“I feel good. Obviously it's been a long year,” said Fritz. “I'm really tired but when I get there, when I'm on the field, you know I'm playing this tournament with the team, there's no way I'm not going to go on the field feeling pumped up and feeling motivated to play.
“I think the fact that it's a team event, we're playing for all these guys, who are playing for the US, you know, even though it's been a long year, it gives me more motivation that I'm not worried about being there. I can go out and give it my all.”
Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaurwho owns a 5-4 record against Fritz, leads an Australian team with features Alexei Popyrinthe man is scared Novak Djokovic at the US Open tournament, two-time US Open champion Jordan Thompson, Thanasi Kokkinakis again Matthew Ebden.
The Aussies Matthew Ebden and John Peers dominated Krajicek and Ram, 10-8 in the tiebreaker, to win the Olympic doubles gold medal. Fritz and Paul took the Olympic bronze medal in Paris.
In the Davis Cup's illustrious 104-year history, Australia made its mark as the only country to come from 0-2 down in the final when they fought back to win 0-2 against the United States in the 1939 final.
Captain Bryan points to his team's synergy—all five players can play doubles as Fritz and Shelton partnered in the Laver Cup—experience and stylistic diversity as strengths.
Who will win the quarterfinal of Australia v. USA will face champions Italy led by world number 1 Jannik Sinner or Argentina in the top half semi final.
“The Davis Cup is different. “The atmosphere can bring out a special performance in the players,” said Bob Bryan. “You have seen a lot of suffering in this event in the past years.
“Look, [Italy] he won it last year for a reason. They are a tough team, Italy. But there are many teams that can win this tournament, and we hope that we can win it.”
Although the Americans praised the king of clay Rafael Nadal before saying goodbye, they will not go to the court when the 22-time Grand Slam champion faces the Netherlands today.
“We can't get tickets,” said Captain Bryan. “I think the tickets go for $100,000. If you want to pay me, I'll go (smiling).”
