Indian tennis fans will know only on Monday whether world number one Novak Djokovic will come to India for the Davis Cup tie even as visiting captain Bogdan Obradovic asserted that his side would present a formidable challenge to the hosts with or without Djokovic.
Obradovic, though, refused to take India lightly and said the two teams have equal chance of winning the World Group play-off contest, starting Friday, keeping in mind conditions. “I will talk to him (Djokovic) tonight and check with him — what is the situation now,” Obradovic told reporters after overseeing a practice session of the side at KSlTA Courts.
Obradovic said he wanted to talk to Djokovic today but decided against it, keeping in mind his heartbreaking US Open semifinal defeat against Kei Nishikori. “I could not talk to him after the match. It was tough. Of course he wanted to play in the final. That’s the way it is,” he said. Nishikori, the 10th seed, became the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam final when he swept past seven-time major winner and world number one Djokovic.
Obradovic was categorial that his team was formidable even if Djokovic does not turn up for the tie, the winner of which will qualify for the elite 16-nation World Group.
“I think it is going to be a tough match for both teams. We are a team with high confidence having been in the World Group for the last eight years, with or without Novak. We have a young and improving team. We have the experience of Nenad Zimonjic, a very experienced doubles player. We also have Illija Bozoljac. They have beaten the best team in the history of doubles, Bryan brothers,” Obradovic said.
Paes confirmed
New Delhi: Veteran star leander Paes is set to combine with Rohan Bopanna for the doubles rubber during the Davis Cup tie against Serbia, Indian captain Anand Amritraj confirmed on Sunday but he says nothing has been decided on the Asian Games squad as yet.
The inclusion of 41-year-old Paes in the side means that originally selected Saketh Myneni, who made his Davis Cup debut against Chinese Taipei early this year, will miss out.
The tall and big serving player will now be a reserve along with Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Ramkumar Ramanathan.
“Yes, leander will play with Rohan in the doubles,” Amritraj, the non-playing captain, said.
“It was Rohan who approached leander first and then I got in touch with him. I spoke to him and he agreed to play,” Amritraj said.
Asked if Myneni won’t feel that he has been ousted from the playing squad, the US-based Amritraj replied in a negative.
“He’s absolutely fine. I have spoken to him. He had a rough idea that it might happen,” he said about Myneni.
Talking about the Asian Games squad, from where the top Indian stars intend to pull out, Amritraj said nothing has been decided as yet and status quo remains.