the “closed door is regrettable” for a competition like the Davis Cup

And the closed door is back… It was during a training session with his players this Friday morning at the National Training Center (CNE de la Porte Molitor) in Paris that Sébastien Grosjean, the captain, learned of the general confinement in place. by the Austrian authorities for the whole of its population, after having initially provided for it only for the unvaccinated. This means that the two hen of the Blues matches scheduled in Innsbruck against the Czech Republic on November 25 and Great Britain on November 27, will be played without an audience. “It’s difficult and regrettable not to have an audience in Davis Cup, Grosjean whispered in front of a small audience of journalists. The situation has worsened in Austria. We will have to do with it. However, we had positive information on the presence of the public, at the beginning of the week, but things are moving so quickly … In this context, we will have to deal with and seek mental resources, like the recovery there at a year and a half, when the players were playing in empty stadiums. “

“It’s too early to say if there is a request from the six teams to relocate the meetings. “

Sebastien grosjean

Among the six Blues summoned (Herbert, Mahut, Gasquet, Rinderkrnech, Manarinno, Gaston), only one is not vaccinated (Pierre-Hugues Herbert). Which shouldn’t be too much of a problem according to the captain. “For entry into the territory, there is an exemption for all players who are not vaccinated. The player in question will have more tests to do than the others. They will be tested every two days but will live normally with the whole team. ”

The closed door in Austria raises the question of relocation. Because in Madrid and Turin, the public will be present. For the captain, it is still too early to talk about a relocation. “It’s too early to say if there is a request from the six teams to relocate the meetings. We will find out if this is possible for the ITF (the body that organizes the competition). Like them, I have just learned of the development of the situation. I will know more in a few days. ” If this confinement changes the situation and raises a lot of questions, one certainty: “What we do know is that we are arriving in Austria on Saturday morning. And that we will have a training scheduled for Sunday», Underlines the former 4^e world player. His players started the training camp at the start of the week: “ I’m getting to know Arthur a little better (Beef cattle) and Hugo (Gaston). They have the team spirit with Arthur who played in teams in the United States at the university and Hugo who loves team sports.. “And with a weighty challenge for Gaston, the” showman “if he is tenured. Play your best level in front of empty stands …