Why does the tennis doubles Krawietz/Pütz win every game in the Davis Cup? It probably has nothing to do with a mystical cult. “There is no secret recipe. It’s not like we smoke the voodoo pipe together and therefore win all the time,” says tennis pro Tim Pütz. And yet the 34-year-old, alongside Kevin Krawietz, once again managed to lead the German Davis Cup team to victory.
And the narrow and by no means nerve-wracking success against Belgium at Hamburg’s Rothenbaum was not just any old one. After all, the German tennis men qualified early for the final tournament at the end of November without their injured star Alexander Zverev.
Seven games, seven wins
Krawietz/Pütz have played together seven times in the Davis Cup. They don’t know how to lose. And of course you want to know: What’s the reason? “We’re being asked that more and more,” reports Pütz. “I almost wish we would lose one day so that it would stop.” And on the train there was an oath: “If we play 100 more times together, we’ll lose. I promise.”
From the point of view of captain Michael Kohlmann, the simply unavoidable defeat should probably happen in a less important match. This undoubtedly includes the last group game on Sunday against the Australians, who also qualified for the final tournament. It’s a little more relaxed now, says Pütz. However, his congenial partner Krawietz emphasizes: “We’re playing in front of a home crowd here in Germany and we’ll give our all again. After all, it’s still about winning the group.” Winning is always a better feeling than losing.
Perhaps it would be tactically smarter on Sunday not to leave the pitch as a winner. Because as the first in group C, Germany would meet the second in group B. There are currently many indications that this could be Spain with world number one Carlos Alcaraz. And then the final tournament will also take place in Malaga. On the other hand, as second in the group, Germany would have to face the winners of Group D, i.e. the USA or the Netherlands, in the quarter-finals. At first glance, this is easier to read.
Krawietz/Pütz only play together in the Davis Cup
The Coburger cannot completely ignore this aspect. “Maybe being first is an advantage. Maybe not,” said the 30-year-old. If Canada beats Serbia in Valencia on Saturday evening, it is clear that Spain can only come second and thus become a potential German opponent. And the Group D winners are already known as the USA meet the Netherlands.
Krawietz and Pütz can look at it in peace on their day off. And maybe spend the time getting to the bottom of the secret of their success. Pütz still has an explanation: “We are two good players, the basic requirement is there. We get along well. Maybe it also helps that we don’t play together on the tour, that it’s always something fresh.”
