The players are now looking forward to the draw for 2022 on Sunday, the ÖTV team will now play on 4th / 5th. March in the qualifying round again to participate in the finals. This will look different for its third edition: The fix is that it will be reduced from 18 to 16 teams. The finalists as well as two teams are set thanks to wild cards, plus twelve winners of the qualifying rounds. The final will be played in four groups of four instead of the previous six groups of three. At which locations is not yet known.
It is still open whether Koubek, whose contract expires in 2021, will also be there. “Of course,” he wants to continue if desired. “I’m really good at it, it’s a very nice, honorable job,” said the 44-year-old from Carinthia, who had to get along in Innsbruck without Dominic Thiem, who was still convalescent.
Marach farewell to the ÖTV team
For a player it was definitely the last Davis Cup for Austria, maybe even the last appearance in his career: Oliver Marach is looking for a partner for Australia to end his career after more than two decades. In addition, these days it will also be decided whether Thiem will play at the ATP Cup, the plans of other ÖTV players depend on this.
“Of course I would have liked to get a point. In addition to my Grand Slam victory (Australian Open 2018, note), the best moments in my life were definitely in the Davis Cup, especially at home, ”said Marach. “It’s sad that we couldn’t play in front of people here, because we might have tickled a little more. That thwarted our plans, “said the Styrian, adding:” I’m still very grateful that I was still able to play the Davis Cup when I was 41. “
Rodionov is fueling self-confidence for 2022
Koubek also found extra praise for Jurij Rodionov, who with his first point for Austria on Sunday also ensured that the ÖTV team did not go down 6-0. “He played a great match. Today he showed what he can do. ”Rodionov himself takes self-confidence with him. “It’s a big milestone for me,” said the Lower Austrian, who is currently training in the Südstadt with Günter Bresnik, but mainly with Gary Muller, and is accompanied on the tour by Richard Waite.
Rodionov also answered the question of why, after Novak, he also said goodbye to Traiskirchen and thus to coach Wolfgang Thiem. “I think I worked with Wolfgang for a year and a half and didn’t have the feeling that my tennis was going in the right direction,” said Rodionov. “As in every sport: The first person who has to believe in it is the coach.”
His year will definitely start in Australia, the rest will depend on his ranking (currently 141st). “On good days I can beat the top 50 people, on bad days I can lose to people outside the top 300. It’s also my biggest weakness that I don’t have this consistency yet, “said the 22-year-old one point that he wants to work on.
