The most exciting victory in Roberto Bautista's career is Spanish Davis Cup history. A true team triumph that took place right on his return to the final after the death of his father. The documentary Break Point: A Davis Cup Story, which Rakuten TV premieres on November 26, recalls with the protagonists that intense week. Tennis, emotions and the power of the mind.
The 2019 Davis Cup was very special. What did it mean?
What happened was something incredible. We were lucky to play in Madrid and feel very supported by the public every day with the full court. We pulled from the heart and the week ended very well. I had fought a lot for many years and to end up lifting the trophy after everything that happened was very nice. We made a great effort.
It was a true team triumph.
The pineapple that we made was amazing. We all add our grain of sand. Rafa (Nadal) made a great effort. It ended many days in the wee hours of the morning. It started with almost all the qualifiers losing the first point and he has a lot of heart. He is a great competitor and, playing in Madrid, he and we all grew. Without the warmth of the people it would not have been the same.
A Davis without an audience would be a very different thing …
Now it would be much colder. The public feels and squeezes so much from inside the track … I hope everything is fixed soon and we hope that next year we can enjoy it again. Much is missing. It requires a lot of responsibility and you end up very tired every day because you squeeze yourself to the fullest, but the Davis Cup is my favorite tournament.
Do you like the new format?
It was a success to condense the tie. Playing four or five during the year is very heavy for us. At the moment we have not had the opportunity to contest the second edition. Surely there are very valid and prepared people behind the event who would have improved things that were not so well done in the first edition. Next year they will give him the perfect shape and there will be a very good competition. Hopefully the ideal date is found.
What do you remember from the final?
Have the creeps at many times. Live that game with many emotions and an extra motivation after everything that had happened. Being able to win that point for the team was something special for me. Perhaps it is the game in which I have felt the most support and affection on a tennis court.
It was a tough week for you. How could you focus on the game?
It was very difficult. Being able to do that is a work of years. After my father's accident, with so much stress and problems at home, after my mother's death, there is an effort and a mental work in the shadow to be able to continue with my career. It's the one that has allowed me to do things like the one I did in the Davis Cup final.
Mind's power…
Yes. In tennis and in many aspects of life she is often the one who commands and makes the decisions. In a sport as emotional as tennis, in which the ball goes so fast and there is so much tension, managing emotions is very important.
And the support of colleagues.
Yes. The support of the entire team, the medical corps, the captain… They were all on top. I felt the support and affection of everyone. That was the main reason I wanted to go back to the tie. Feeling that my presence could give them an extra motivation and support there and make a lot of strength with them.
How do you define this documentary?
It is a way to relive that special week through the feelings and sensations of the players in the first person. It reaches the viewer. When I saw it I was excited. And the people who saw it with me too.
Roberto Bautista
Rakuten TV