In the shadow of the war, Israel's Davis team will be hosted on Saturday for a difficult away match against the strong Czech Republic.
After a difficult decade for Israeli tennis, and in the midst of a complex period in the country, the team in blue and white will try to win against all odds and return to the upper house.
Yishai Oliel, Daniel Zuckerman, Idan Leshem, Oral Kimchi, Roy Stepanov and Ofek Shimanov, along with the captain Yoni Erlich, will be guided as always by a pair of national team coaches - Yoav Shev and Yoav Ben Zvi.
Just before the opening whistle, we caught up with Shev for an interview about the preparations for the match, the chances against a team with great momentum and his thoughts on the complex situation in which we find ourselves.
Israel tennis team squad, photo: Tennis Association
"We arrived in the Czech Republic this week after I accompanied the members of the team in the USA to the start of the season," Shav begins. with the same result as in the previous meetings".
Relative to the previous meetings, the members of the team come with better momentum in light of their recent results?
"I don't think the momentum is necessarily related to the individual results of the guys, but more related to our results as a team. When we are together we are much better, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."
The Czechs come to the meeting in very good condition.
Yiri Lehceka won the ATP title at the beginning of the year, and Thomas Macek reached the doubles semi-finals in Australia.
"In terms of individual results, the Czechs arrive in better shape," Shav admits, "but we always believe that it is possible to beat any team in Davis. This time too." ), Tomas Machak (66), Vit Kuprieva (115), Jacob Mansik (127) and Adam Pavelsk (45 in the world in doubles) - and Israel will return to the upper house for the first time since 2013.
Yeri Lehka.
The star of the Czech Republic, photo: Tennis Association
When I inquired about how important the meeting was in the eyes of the team members, Shev had an unequivocal answer.
"If you had asked me this question before October 7, I would have told you that it was a dream, a goal and an unprecedented achievement, but because of everything we've been through since then, the sense of commitment and mission has only increased.
"First of all, it starts with wearing the team's uniform. Soldiers, members of the security and medical forces and volunteers are doing everything for the country in this difficult time. We are also even more excited to represent the country now."
Are you motivated to give extra effort because of the whole situation?
"Yes. The players always give everything, this time it is even more important for us and them - beyond winning if and when - to represent the country with respect and show that we are not going anywhere. The nation of Israel is alive."
How do you deal with having to play when the war is still going on?
"We make the separation and look at it as a mission. There are regular soldiers and there are in the reserves, and as far as I'm concerned, these are our reserves. If it wasn't for the national team, I wouldn't have left my family and children for such a long period of time in order to prepare in the US."
Yoav Shav
They want to bring respect, photo: the tennis association
How is the relationship between you and Ben Zvi, is there a division of labor between you?
"Me and Yoav have been good friends since we were young. There is no division between us, we do everything together and know where each can be better expressed. We work in full cooperation, and I couldn't think of a better partner than him."
What is it like to be a national coach? Is the thrill the same even after all these years?
"Being the coach of a national team is a great honor and pride. In general, being in any position on the national team is the same feeling. I have always said that as long as the team calls me, I have no problem being a ball bearer. Especially in light of the recent events in the country, it will be even more exciting to wear the uniform the nationals".
In the previous victories in Davis, there was hope that the members of the team would leverage the success for personal achievements in the round. It's still not happening, and the reviews are pouring in.
"Many times the criticisms are justified, but there are also those who just come to spread bad things without any basis. I don't have all the answers, there are many reasons why it doesn't happen, some of them depend on the players and some of them don't. I hope we will see a change after this meeting. I hope at the beginning of the year The new everyone will spread goodness and give our players support and love, especially in view of the situation in the country. There are enough criticisms."
Yoav Shev and Yoav ben Zvi.
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