“Máxima is very special for us. We are very proud of her. She has our blood. We would like it very nice if she came to watch. But we also understand if she would support the Netherlands. She is of course free at that,” said Frana in Martiniplaza where both countries play on Friday and Saturday for a place in the final tournament finals.
Javier Frana Old Meaning Paul Haarhuis
Captain Frana is an old acquaintance of the Dutch captain Paul Haarhuis. They faced each other in 1997 in a double party in the American Philadelphia. The Argentinian former tennis player had to smile when he heard that Haarhuis labeled the Argentines as a favorite. “Haarhuis knows very well that the rankings in the Davis Cup don’t count so heavy. We don’t feel a favorite, but we feel very strong,” said Frana.
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Before the meeting between the Netherlands and Argentina, Frana looked back to the quarterfinals of the Football World Cup in 2022, where both countries in Qatar played a hard -fought match. Argentina won after penalties. “I love football. I experienced that game intensely. And I celebrated the victory,” he explained. “Rivalry on the field is fine, but after the last whistle that must be over. Then Sport has to bring people together.”
The Argentinian leader Francisco Cerúndolo agrees with his captain. “You play for your country. And you give everything for that. That is no different in tennis than with football,” he said on the edge of the tennis court. “There has always been a nice rivalry between the Netherlands and Argentina. That is also part of the sport. It must remain a healthy rivalry.”
