Former Davis Cupper and doubles specialist, Mahesh Bhupathi reckons India needs to be at its extreme best in order to progress to the elite World Group of the Davis Cup.
India face Czech Republic led by World No.6 Tomas Berdych and multiple Slam winner Radek Stepanek from September 18-20 at the RK Khanna Stadium in Delhi.
The duo had skipped their last Davis Cup clash against Australia but will be travelling to the Indian capital confirmed International Premier Tennis league (IPTl) founder Bhupathi who stays in contact with current players on tour.
“Unfortunately, I have got a message from Tomas Berdych last evening asking about hotel details. So they are coming with full strength team. So it’s going to be hard,” commented Bhupathi on the sidelines of an IPTl event on Saturday.
An aspect that differentiates ATP Tour events from Davis Cup is the home advantage but Bhupathi feels that may not be enough against the quality of players the likes of Somdev Devvarman, Yuki Bhambri and Rohan Bopanna will be up against.
“Czech Republic have won two titles of the last four years, so it’s going to be very tough match. We are playing Stepanek and Berdych, so our guys need to pull off a miracle to have a shot,” he said.
“But never say never in Davis Cup. We will put up a good fight I am sure,” he added.
He also praised his understudy Sumit Nagal who had won the Wimbledon junior boy’s doubles title but asked for caution in making the progress from junior level to the professional stage. “For Sumit, it’s lot of confidence wining the junior Wimbledon doubles. The transition from junior to senior is about taking 200 steps and he has to do it one by one.
“Next three-four years are going to be defining for him. We will try to give as much support as possible,” he stated.