Ten years after Argentina lifted the Davis Cup trophy in Zagreb, former team captain Daniel Orsanic reflected on the historic 2016 campaign, pointing to Juan Martín del Potro’s elite form and a unique internal equality that carried the squad through four away ties, Infobae reported.
Breaking a Drought on Foreign Soil
Argentina entered the 2016 Davis Cup season carrying the weight of four previous final defeats in 1981, 2006, 2008, and 2011. To finally capture the Silver Salad Bowl, Orsanic’s squad had to win four series entirely on the road against Poland, Italy, Great Britain, and Croatia.
Rather than relying strictly on established hierarchies, the coaching staff implemented an equal and fair treatment policy among all squad members. That approach successfully smoothed over internal frictions that in other times had undermined the Argentine team, creating a cohesive unit capable of executing under intense pressure away from home.
Del Potro’s Elite Form
While Del Potro held a ranking outside the top ten upon his return, Orsanic noted that he played at a top-ten level throughout 2016, a year highlighted by his silver medal at the Olympic Games. Del Potro provided the critical differential by winning matches no other teammate could secure.
That impact crystallized during the match against Great Britain, where Del Potro beat Andy Murray. Orsanic categorized that encounter among the top three matches in Argentine Davis Cup history, noting that Murray was marching toward the world number-one ranking at the time.
Resilience and Roster Depth Across European Arenas
The championship run required decisive contributions across the entire roster during weekend ties. En la final frente a Croacia, Federico Delbonis clinched the deciding point, while Guido Pella and Leonardo Mayer delivered victories in earlier rounds alongside teammates like Carlos Berlocq, Renzo Olivo, and Juan Pico Mónaco.
Playing on foreign courts ultimately forged a collective resilience within the squad. While host crowds offered environments initially, traveling Argentine supporters grew in numbers with each round, making the team feel at home in venues from Poland to Zagreb.
Orsanic Credits Parents and Scaloni for Leadership Style
Reflecting on his leadership style, Orsanic rejected direct comparisons to football managers César Luis Menotti and Carlos Bilardo, pointing instead to Lionel Scaloni’s tenure with the Argentina national football team as the closest parallel in communication style and coaching profile.
When asked who he remembered upon lifting the trophy, Orsanic credited his parents, noting that the communication methods and educational values they instilled directly shaped his professional approach. That personal connection deepened upon arriving in Zagreb, where his father had lived during childhood, allowing the captain to connect deeply with his Croatian heritage during the final weekend.
Worth a look
