The world number one, Novak Djokovic, leads the Serbian team that will contest the Davis Cup Finals 2021 with the intention of achieving the triumph that two years ago eluded him in Madrid, when he was eliminated in the quarterfinals against Russia.
The Serbian side, which is completed by Nikola Cacic, Miomir Kecmanovic, Dusan Lajovic and Filip Krajinovic, and which is led by Viktor Troiki, is in Innsbruck, where they will play the group stage against Austria and Germany.
“It’s great to be back with the team and again for the Davis Cup. The last memory we had was sad. We were all confident and looking forward to reaching the final two years ago. But we are now very motivated to take advantage of this other opportunity. . We are together once again. We are good friends off the pitch. There is great chemistry in the team and that is one of the important things for success, “Djokovic told a telematic press conference.
“I have been the last to join the group. The atmosphere is very good. We hope for the best. The format is different this year. Three venues with two groups each. The Davis Cup should be an experience that more people will enjoy that is why I am here In favor of this year’s format and that there are more countries that can enjoy it. We want to play the best tennis for our country and also for the rival, “said Djokovic, who joined his team after being eliminated by German Alexander Zverev in the semifinals of the ATP Finals played last week in Turin.
The growth of infections in Austria has caused a new confinement of the population, so that the matches of groups C and F will be played behind closed doors. “It’s a shame it has to be played behind closed doors,” said the world number one.
In the Davis Cup, Djokovic will not coincide with Alexander Zverev and neither with Dominik Thiem, casualties in Germany and Austria, respectively.
“I am sure both teams would like to have their best players but they are still strong teams, especially Germany with Jean Lennard Struff and Dominik Koepfer. They are very dangerous players on different surfaces and we do not underestimate the teams because they lack their best player, “he warned.
“We come with the best possible team. We try to compete and we don’t care about the other teams. We try to adapt as best as possible. Madrid is still far away and there is not much room for mistakes. Even if you lose a match you can qualify. Austria will be different without it. public than with public. Although the large Serbian community in Austria would also be important and make a difference for us. It will not be the first time we have played without an public. We have experienced this often in the last year and we are going to adapt “, analyzed Djokovic, who regretted the lack of atmosphere.
“We are sad that there are no people, of course. Regardless of whether we do not play at home the fans are an integral part of our game. The energy they give us, the drive, the passion. Especially in the Davis Cup where more is allowed. mood and the atmosphere is more vibrant and noisy, “he said.
Djokovic will make his debut, presumably, against Dennis Novak, Austria’s first player without Thiem.
“Regardless of the classification that the rival has, I prepare for the game like any other. I think I never played against Dennis Novak, so I have to do my bottom line, go out and start strong to achieve victory for Serbia,” said the Serbian number one, who advised all teams of the options allowed by the tournament format.
“Maybe the format with only two singles and one doubles is better for the theoretically weaker teams, which do not have great players. Anything is possible on the court. The ranking usually favors players like me, with more experience throughout the whole season. year. But it does not have a relevant role in this tournament. You can go out and play the best tennis of your life. Players who are at 100 or 150 can do the best tennis of their life, “he ventured.
“The format can favor the less favorites. You lose a singles match and then Austria has good doubles players and that’s it,” he insisted.
For his part, Filip Krajinovic, another member of the Serbian team, indicated that he is waiting for the start of the tournament: “I feel very good. I have had good feelings in training. I think we are ready to play. We are expectant.”
