The German tennis men only had to shiver briefly. Then they very surely bought the ticket for the Davis Cup final. A strong number one, a good double and a special mood were the guarantors of the success against Belarus.
Düsseldorf (dpa) - Germany's tennis men would have preferred to get on the plane to Madrid on Saturday evening.
After the sovereign 4: 1 victory in the qualifying game against Belarus, the German Davis Cup team is already hot for the finals in the Spanish capital from November 23 to 29. "We had the feeling last year that there was something more in there," said Jan-Lennard Struff, who was the match winner in the German team with his two individual wins. "Therefore, we are pleased that we are back in Madrid and maybe this time we can go a little further."
In addition to Struff, Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies ensured their qualification for the final tournament with their double success. In the exuberance of their feelings, the German professionals even thought of paying some fans the trip to Madrid after only a handful of fans found their way to Spain in 2019. "The flights are not that expensive," said Mies. "We would definitely be happy if a few more fans accompanied us this time."
But it still takes more than half a year to get the Davis Cup crown in Madrid. What everyone regretted in the very homogeneous selection of the German Tennis Federation. Because the week in Düsseldorf once again made it clear that team boss Michael Kohlmann has now formed a conspiratorial bunch that is proud to play for Germany. "It was something very special," said almost all players with the same word about their appearance in the Castello in Düsseldorf.
"I'm really excited about how the team presented itself," Kohlmann said. The fact that top player Alexander Zverev was missing did not matter. Just as a return to the final tournament would not disturb the structure any more than a new cancellation. "Of course the chances would increase with him," Kohlmann admitted. But even without the semi-finalists of the Australian Open, the Germans see themselves well positioned. "I think we are an uncomfortable opponent," said Kohlmann. Who will play in Madrid in the preliminary round will be decided on Thursday. Then the six groups of three will be drawn for the final tournament in London.
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