The Spanish Davis Cup team, which faces Romania on Friday and Saturday in the qualifying rounds for the 2022 Finals, offered a press conference yesterday in one of the halls of the Puente Romano Beach Resort in Marbella, next to the Tennis Club where the matches will be played. The Manolo Santana court, named in honor of the legendary tennis player who died in December and who will be honored over the weekend, will host the series.
This Thursday at 12:00 the pairing draw will take place and it will be known if the great novelty of the Navy will debut: Carlos Alcaraz. He was already called up for the 2021 Finals last November, but was unable to participate in the tournament because he tested positive for COVID just before. “In Madrid I really wanted to make my debut. It wasn’t possible, but now here in Marbella I have a new opportunity and I hope to be with the team until the end. It’s time to enjoy this experience that I couldn’t live”, says the 18-year-old from Murcia, who has seen “some video of Nadal’s debut in Davis.” “It was a year after I was born,” assured the Murcian. Sergi Bruguera spoke about the great hope of national tennis: “I perceive him like everyone else. Since he won in Umag he took a step forward as a player and evolves by leaps and bounds every day. He is 19 in the world at 18 years old. The future that people see, I also see, you don’t have to be a genius.”
Davidovich, who makes his debut on the list (“I am very happy to have been summoned by Sergi, I am very excited and if there is an opportunity to play, I will do my best”says the man from Malaga), also offered his impressions of Charly: “He’s very young, but he’s already in the top-20. He’s a great player. He leaves everything on the court. Mentally he’s a beast and physically, I’m seeing what these days, because I don’t understand. He is a very good guy and makes everything very easy.”. Alcaraz returned the flowers to his partner: “What I like most about Álex is that he plays very happily, the same thing makes you a winner who hits you with a top… (laughs). Seriously, he goes up to the net a lot, he makes very good drops, he has a good hand, rhythm, he knows how to defend and he is very dynamic”. Pedro Martínez, who joined the team at the last minute due to Marcel Granollers being out due to injury, arrived in Marbella on Tuesday and “overcome jet lag”, he looks “prepared and available” after his first training session.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict
The Spanish players and the captain commented on the measures taken by international tennis institutions as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. “I think that all tennis players make a great effort, we have a lot of dedication from a young age to do what we do and be where we are. This is something done by third parties. It is not fair that our Russian and Belarusian teammates have to stop playing, although what is happening is not right,” said Bautista. Carreño expressed his opinion in similar terms: “The important thing is that everyone, Both Rublev and Medvedev and others have made it clear that they are against the war and the decisions, whether fair or unfair, are going to be little for what they are suffering in Ukraine. I don’t know if it is correct or incorrect, if it is adequate or not, if the solution that the ATP, the WTA and the ITF have taken is adequate… The important thing is that we agree that what is happening cannot be and I hope that it ends as soon as possible.” And Bruguera was cautious: “I don’t know how to act either. We are all against the war, but I am not high enough to comment on sanctions.”
Trifu announces fight
The captain of Romania, Gabriel Trifu, He spoke to the media before the press conference in Spain and made it clear that his team is not surrendering even though the Navy as a whole is clearly superior. “Obviously it is a very strong team, with great players, and we are not favourites, but we are going to fight for victory even if it is a very high mountain to climb. We will put up a tough battle and give our best on the track”, said the coach, who spoke about Carlos Alcaraz. “He has an amazing talent, which was already seen since junior. After winning a couple of trophies, he is in the top-20 and he will have the opportunity to be among the best and follow in the footsteps of Rafa (Nadal). He has a bright future.”