More than a year ago, India’s Davis Cup captain Anand Amritraj had said that getting India back to the World Group was his ultimate goal. Now he is one tie away from the dream. But it seems a daunting task, as India is pitted against Serbia, the 2010 champion and 2013 finalist.
In a chat with The Hindu he dwelt on his team’s chances, on Novak Djokovic’s possible presence and his own tenure so far.
Excerpts:
How do you assess India’s chances?
Novak Djokovic has been named [in the squad]. I have mixed feelings about that. As a tennis fan and admirer of Novak, it would be great for Indian tennis if he comes. But as a captain, it would be a lot better if he doesn’t.
Will his participation or non-participation affect the way you prepare?
I don’t think so. If he comes we have to win the other three matches. If he doesn’t, we have a chance in all five. That’s how I see it.
Have the recent Davis Cup and Asian Games selection issues had any effect on the team?
Not really. I basically picked both the teams. The AITA went along with my suggestions. The only mistake was not announcing the Asian Games team along with the Davis Cup team. There should have been no controversy because I just wanted to give everybody a chance.
Will the fact that if India loses this tie, it will have to spend another year in the regional competition add pressure?
I actually see it as a great opportunity. Firstly, it’s a home match. Then, they don’t have Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki, their second and third best players. So we have a very good chance. We are playing with our best team. On paper they are the better team. But in Davis Cup anything can happen and we have pulled off upsets before.
When you took over as captain, you said you needed players for the second singles. Is there now a concern with both singles players? Because Devvarman was ranked 76 in March but now is down to 143. Yuki Bhambri is 151 and had a good year till the injury lay-off.
Somdev is just a bit low on confidence. It has nothing to do with his game. He is very determined and a great fighter. He will give his best. I have no concerns. Yuki is a very talented shot-maker but a bit suspect physically. But Bangalore is not going to be hot. We have done everything that will suit us. I am sure everybody will give their best.
How happy are you with your tenure so far?
I will be a lot happier if we get into the World Group. We are one match away. This match can make my whole year. This month is 40 years to the month when Vijay [Amritraj] and I beat Russia to get to the Davis Cup final. So we hope we can do something good now.
http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/anand-amritraj-interview/article6377685.ece
In a chat with The Hindu he dwelt on his team’s chances, on Novak Djokovic’s possible presence and his own tenure so far.
Excerpts:
How do you assess India’s chances?
Novak Djokovic has been named [in the squad]. I have mixed feelings about that. As a tennis fan and admirer of Novak, it would be great for Indian tennis if he comes. But as a captain, it would be a lot better if he doesn’t.
Will his participation or non-participation affect the way you prepare?
I don’t think so. If he comes we have to win the other three matches. If he doesn’t, we have a chance in all five. That’s how I see it.
Have the recent Davis Cup and Asian Games selection issues had any effect on the team?
Not really. I basically picked both the teams. The AITA went along with my suggestions. The only mistake was not announcing the Asian Games team along with the Davis Cup team. There should have been no controversy because I just wanted to give everybody a chance.
Will the fact that if India loses this tie, it will have to spend another year in the regional competition add pressure?
I actually see it as a great opportunity. Firstly, it’s a home match. Then, they don’t have Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki, their second and third best players. So we have a very good chance. We are playing with our best team. On paper they are the better team. But in Davis Cup anything can happen and we have pulled off upsets before.
When you took over as captain, you said you needed players for the second singles. Is there now a concern with both singles players? Because Devvarman was ranked 76 in March but now is down to 143. Yuki Bhambri is 151 and had a good year till the injury lay-off.
Somdev is just a bit low on confidence. It has nothing to do with his game. He is very determined and a great fighter. He will give his best. I have no concerns. Yuki is a very talented shot-maker but a bit suspect physically. But Bangalore is not going to be hot. We have done everything that will suit us. I am sure everybody will give their best.
How happy are you with your tenure so far?
I will be a lot happier if we get into the World Group. We are one match away. This match can make my whole year. This month is 40 years to the month when Vijay [Amritraj] and I beat Russia to get to the Davis Cup final. So we hope we can do something good now.
http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/anand-amritraj-interview/article6377685.ece
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