The past two major Championships, Wimbledon and the British Open, gave us a couple unbelievably thrilling finishes. You could say that it was only inches that kept both Andy Roddick and Tom Watson from holding and kissing the winner’s trophy. Sports fans will be talking about each and every final stroke for a long time. But one competition went under the proverbial radar…
The past two major Championships, Wimbledon and the British Open, gave us a couple unbelievably thrilling finishes. You could say that it was only inches that kept both Andy Roddick and Tom Watson from holding and kissing the winner’s trophy. Sports fans will be talking about each and every final stroke for a long time.
But one competition went under the proverbial radar…and that was the U.S. gut wrenching loss to Croatia in Davis Cup. No longer the premier star studded event, it does however remain one of the top sporting competitions outside the U.S. due to the popularity of tennis and the passionate nationalism during these matches. You’ve heard me tell stories about some of my Davis Cup experiences both as a player and captain. I don’t believe there are many things more difficult than traveling and playing abroad when all the conditions favor the home country. And I do mean country….because that’s what you feel like you’re playing against, not just one or two players. Players from other countries are treated like heroes, and the public will do everything they can to support and help them win. The newspapers are full of pages and pages of tennis articles. Every TV in the country will be turned onto the matches…including those in store fronts, restaurants, offices, etc. When a player wins a point, you not only here those in the stadium cheer, you hear the entire country!!
So it takes an incredible amount of focus and concentration when you’re playing Davis Cup outside the U.S. It also takes a lot of teamwork. Even though Andy Roddick pulled out due to a hip injury, the U.S. was focused…. James Blake and Mardy Fish came so close playing there hearts out for over 8 hours to within inches of being up two matches to none. And with the Bryan twins winning the doubles match on Saturday, Sunday could have been a walk in the park. But as the saying goes, that’s why they play the matches.
So as the U.S regroups for next year’s competition, we’ll watch the final two rounds with major indifference. Few Americans would be able to name the other semi-finalist nations…they are Israel, Czech Republic, and Spain (the defending Champion). But for these remaining countries, interest will be at a fever pitch, especially in Israel, which will be competing in it’s first ever Davis Cup semi-final.
Please remember to hydrate…it’s warm out there.
Tom Gorman
Director of Tennis
