2014 Davis Cup

[Luxilon Borg]

Yes, it is chic. And isn't the idea that US players get better on clay?

Don't juniors still train on clay? In my day, even the tourneys utilized clay more! California was the exception from what I remember of the 70's and 80's! No wonder Tracy Austin succumbed to her back injuries before her time! :nono

No, I think very few juniors outside of the North East and the South play on clay.

 

[Moxie]

But isn't that what Emilio Sanchez-Vicario is trying to do at his academy in FL? And I don't know if McEnroe's academy in NY has clay courts, but I think they're trying to get the kids to move their feet and not just be all about big serve. Isn't that the philosophy that will get US tennis back into the conversation?

 

[Luxilon Borg]

But isn't that what Emilio Sanchez-Vicario is trying to do at his academy in FL? And I don't know if McEnroe's academy in NY has clay courts, but I think they're trying to get the kids to move their feet and not just be all about big serve. Isn't that the philosophy that will get US tennis back into the conversation?

McEnroe, incidentally, grew up on Har Tru. He became a hard courter when he went to Stamford.

The philosophy is to move American players away from focusing on finishing points to constructing points. That is what Jose Higueras told a group of pros at my club during a USTA conference.

 

[isabelle]

^Nalbandian did watch his team play DC this weekend. When the fans saw him in the stands, they cheered him and gave him an ovation. Photo and story here. (For you and Cali, isabelle.)

Thanks a lot, hope he didn't have a heart attack after this disaster...Argentina needs a new Nalby but I don't think Delpo is very dedicated to DC...I hope he can have a better relationship with Jaite and play this great competition, Argies needs him

 

[Kieran]

They're stuck for stuff to write about at tennis.com, which is fair enough, but this?

Federer playing a game of chicken with Nole seems far-fetched, even for them...

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The QF tie between Switzerland and Kazakhstan will be in Switzerland. With both
Roger and Stan playing and in top 10, they are expecting more than 15,000 folks
wanting to see the match. Hence, they have selected Geneva as the location.
I don't know the surface yet.

 

[Iona16]

I have to say what a lovely welcome for Team GB. A beautiful Union flag. A really lovely touch by the Italians.

 

[Front242]

^ Cool, a lot of effort went into that. Very nicely done.

 

[Iona16]

^ Cool, a lot of effort went into that. Very nicely done.

Oh absolutely. It's beautifully done.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

So, we will get to see Fog vs. Andy. Who is the other Italian in the team?

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

^ Cool, a lot of effort went into that. Very nicely done.

Oh absolutely. It's beautifully done.

If they REALLY wanted to be nice, they would have given Andy some hard courts to play on...

 

[Iona16]

^ Cool, a lot of effort went into that. Very nicely done.

Oh absolutely. It's beautifully done.

If they REALLY wanted to be nice, they would have given Andy some hard courts to play on...

Yes, that would have been nice. They weren't that accommodating though.

 

[Moxie]

^ Cool, a lot of effort went into that. Very nicely done.

Oh absolutely. It's beautifully done.

If they REALLY wanted to be nice, they would have given Andy some hard courts to play on...

Yes, that would have been nice. They weren't that accommodating though.

That's very unusual and welcoming for DC…though Italians do go in for a bit of style. Thanks for sharing that, Iona.

@GSM: The Italian team includes Seppi, Bolelli and Lorenzi, so not too bad.

 

[herios]

I have not seen this posted.
Fedrinka is focusing on winning the DC this year, and this should not be a surprise considering how R1 unfolded:

http://www.daviscup.com/en/news/173639.aspx

 

[herios]

So, we will get to see Fog vs. Andy. Who is the other Italian in the team?

Seppi usually.

 

[herios]

For the France - Germany tie, Gasquet is out with a lower back injury.
Tsonga, Monfils and Benneteau are listed, the 4 player is yet to be named. They have plenty to choose from.
But this looks like it will be a walk through the park. Germany lists probably their "C" team:
Kamke, Struff, Gojowicz and Begemann...uzzled

While I know that both Haas and Mayer withdrew with injuries in Miami, but Brands, Becker I think should have been some obvious picks.

 

[Front242]

^ That's mad they didn't choose Brands and Becker. Nobodies over two guys with decent serves and good all round games. Kamke can be good but the others are bizarre choices :nono

 

[herios]

I see Evans has been added to the British team, the Italian line-up is:
F3, Seppi, Lorenzi and Bolelli.
Berdych is also out from the Czech team, following his Miami injury, they will be represented by:
Stepanek, Rosol, Vesely and Hajek. Nishikori will play.

 

[Front242]

^ Bolelli has a good game and is a good example of an underachiever imo. Should've done better so far in his career.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I see Evans has been added to the British team, the Italian line-up is:
F3, Seppi, Lorenzi and Bolelli.
Berdych is also out from the Czech team, following his Miami injury, they will be represented by:
Stepanek, Rosol, Vesely and Hajek. Nishikori will play.

I thought the Miami thing was a stomach issue with Berdych...what IS the injury?