MADRID, 9 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The captain of the Spanish Davis Cup team, David Ferrer, said on Monday that the group stage of the competition against the Czech Republic, France and Australia is going to be “very tough”, although that does not mean that Spain “is not the favourite” because everything is “very even” and he sees his players “prepared”, with “enthusiasm and motivation”.
“It’s going to be a very tough tie. This doesn’t mean that we aren’t the favourites, no. I think it’s going to be very even, and that there is no favourite because in that aspect both France and Australia are teams that have great doubles and that counts a lot in the Davis Cup,” said Ferrer in a press conference.
David Ferrer commented that it will be “a battle” but that the players are “prepared for it.” “They are excited and motivated. I have seen the team doing very well, there is a very good atmosphere, which is fundamental. I am very calm and grateful that they have made this commitment to be here because I am very aware that the schedule is really tight. I think we will do well,” he said.
The Valencian confirmed that the track’s conditions are “very good”. “Two years ago it was very slow and last year it was faster. As for playing at La Fonteta with our people, we are having all the facilities. They are treating us very well,” he added.
As for the difference in average age between the Spanish team, which is much older, and the Czech team, which is younger, the Spanish captain is confident that it can “help” because there are players with “a lot of experience” and above all “good” players regardless of age. “Granollers is number one in the world in doubles, Roberto Bautista and Pablo Carreño have had some injuries but they are already in match rhythm and are winning players,” he said.
“If we talk about France, Humbert and Fils have had a very good year. In addition, they have a consolidated veteran doubles team. Australia, it is true that they are arriving without Alex de Minaur, but even so Popyrin is a young player who has won a Master 1000 in the last two months playing at a very high level, and Thompson is also winning matches. The doubles team is coming right after having won the US Open,” said Ferrer with respect to the other two rivals.
For his part, Marcel Granollers said that the Davis Cup is a “very special” competition for the players because they can “represent their country” and “share the achievements as a team.” “We have a commitment to the team to try to give their best this week, and on many occasions it is shown that sometimes players with some discomfort give 100% here,” he explained.
Finally, Roberto Bautista said that experience “is a degree.” “After having played the Davis Cup for many years, I know what it feels like on the court, I know how special this competition is. For me it is one of the most motivating weeks of the year and I always come to Valencia with great enthusiasm,” he concluded.
The Pavelló Municipal Font de Sant Lluís in Valencia, where Group B of the 2024 Davis Cup Finals will be played from the 10th to the 15th of this month, will see Carlos Alcaraz playing for Spain alongside Pedro Martínez Portero, Roberto Bautista, Pablo Carreño and Marcel Granollers.
The Spaniards, with David Ferrer as captain, will be looking for one of the two places at stake — in a group completed by France, the Czech Republic and Australia — for the Final 8 for the title that will be decided in Malaga from November 19 to 24.