The Belgian Davis Cup team is preparing for a high-stakes tie against Austria on clay, featuring a temporary court built inside the historic Wiener Athletic Club (WAC) football ground in Vienna, scheduled for September 18 and 19, according to local reports from StarSport. The venue, founded in 1896, stands as Austria’s largest tennis club and will host a Davis Cup fixture for the first time in its history.
Historic Venue Transformation in Vienna
For the upcoming clash, organizers have installed a clay court directly onto the facility’s football pitch. Temporary grandstands are slated to accommodate roughly 5,000 spectators, creating a compact and intense atmosphere for the visiting Belgian squad. Jürgen Melzer, sports director for the Austrian Tennis Federation (ÖTV) and captain of the Austrian Davis Cup team, emphasized the unique character of the venue. “It’s perfect that we can play at WAC, a truly historic club in Vienna,” Melzer told StarSport, noting that he expects the home fans to act as a decisive factor.
Pathways to the Tie and Squad Context
Both nations secured their spots in this phase of the competition following strong performances earlier in the year. Austria advanced after a hard-fought 2-3 victory away against Japan in February. Meanwhile, the Belgian team cruised through their previous assignment, blanking Bulgaria 0-4 on the road, as documented in tournament records.
What Comes Next
The action gets underway on September 18 at the Wiener Athletic Club, with matches continuing through September 19.
