At 10:30 sharp the Spanish Davis Cup team appeared in the La Fonteta press room. Captained by David Ferrer, the army He assessed how they see this group stage where they will share experience with the Czech Republic, Serbia and South Korea.
DAVID FERRER
“I expect very tough qualifying rounds, there are very dangerous teams like the Czech Republic, with players that perhaps a part of the public does not know as much, but who are really good. We have to be very focused and prepared to face the first round. Serbia, a priori, is the toughest rival, especially if it has Novak Djokovic, but we will see that when we have confirmation. I don’t want to forget Korea, which always competes well, last year I already made things difficult for us.”
“I spoke with him and his team throughout the US Open. I was there and saw most of his games, but it is true that he ended up very tired, with some physical problems. As soon as the semifinal against Medvedev finished, I spoke with them and Juan Carlos asked me that, for the sake of his health and his rest, it was best not to come. From there, I don’t want to talk about this topic anymore because Carlos is not going to be with us, I prefer to talk about my players, the good atmosphere there is and how we are working. “We are prepared to qualify for the Davis Cup Finals.”
“It is always better at home, with your audience, imagine here in Valencia. The fans are very passionate, last year you could see it, so I am very excited that the players can compete in this place, knowing that the public is going to support them to the fullest. Valencia represents many things for me, here I played my last Davis Cup match, in the Plaza de Toros. I have been champion of the city tournament, which also gave me a lot. “I feel very happy to be captain and to see the response of all of Spanish tennis.”
“I don’t know what to expect from Novak Djokovic, players who go so far in a Grand Slam then it is difficult to compete in the Davis Cup, but it also happened before. I have also made the semifinals of a Grand Slam and the following week I have been playing Davis Cup, but it is not easy. The schedule is always tight, you can look for alternatives, but I couldn’t tell you what change to make. I hope that this competition has more room in the future, more calendar freedom so that the players can be there. We have all dreamed of playing this competition as children, but the format would need to be given some twist, it could be worked on to make it more attractive.”
ALEJANDRO DAVIDOVICH
“I was able to see a set from the final and I think it was enough, Novak is playing at a very high level, although I already knew in advance what level he was at. He comes from winning the US Open, he will have a lot of confidence, but our first tie is against the Czech Republic, so I don’t want to get ahead of myself and start thinking about Serbia. When Serbia comes, Djokovic comes or whoever wants to come, we will be ready.”
“My personal intention this season was to get to play in the Davis Cup final in Malaga, I wanted to raise my level of play as high as possible to reach this competition and play in the singles. Now we are here in Valencia and, if the captain wishes, I will debut against the Czech Republic this Wednesday. I am very excited, I really want to get on the track, it is a dream I have had since I was little. Plus it will be at home, that’s a big plus, so I hope I have that strength and pressure to do well. Throughout the year I have been doing well in that aspect, here I also have the help of David Ferrer who will surely give me good advice. I will have to listen to him a lot on the bench.”
BERNABÉ ZAPATA
“I am very happy to be playing in Valencia, for the Spanish team it is very important to have the warmth of the people. The objective is to qualify for the Final Phase, I am here to contribute whatever I am told, whether it is on the court or off it. If I have the opportunity to play I will try to rely a lot on the team and the experience of all the players, with that I will try to enjoy the experience.”
ROBERTO BAUTISTA
“It has been a different summer after the accident, but I have had time to rest and be with my family, in addition to strengthening my body after the break. I have had a lot of time to train and get ready, even to catch up with my physical preparation, which sometimes between so many tournaments I leave it a little aside. Every day I’m getting better, my feeling on the court is getting better, so I’m ready to play any game whenever the captain considers it appropriate. I am available”.
2023-09-11 10:02:39
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