Serbia motivated by 2019 Davis Cup heartbreak: Novak Djokovic

World primary Novak Djokovic says Serbia will use the bitter reminiscence of their Davis Cup Finals defeat in 2019 as motivation to raise the trophy for a second time this 12 months.
At the inaugural Davis Cup Finals in Madrid two years in the past, Serbia had been knocked out within the quarter-finals after Viktor Troicki and Djokovic misplaced a deciding doubles rubber to Russia.
They really had three match factors and on the final one Troicki poked a routine volley out as he succumbed to nerves and within the post-match information convention he broke down.
Serbia are drawn in Group F with Austria and Germany – each of whom are lacking their prime gamers – and will likely be fancied to succeed in the knockout part.
“It’s great to be back with the Davis Cup team,” Djokovic advised a information convention forward of Friday’s opening round-robin tie in opposition to Austria in Innsbruck, one in every of three host venues for the 18-nation Finals being staged over 11 days.
“The final reminiscence was a tragic one, we had been all very emotional, however however we had been motivated to return again collectively and provides it one other go so right here we’re as soon as once more collectively once more.
“We are all friends and the chemistry in the team is very good. That’s an essential ingredient for success.”
Troicki, who gained the purpose to safe a Djokovic-inspired Serbia victory over France within the 2010 remaining in Belgrade, is now the captain whereas Djokovic’s group mates are Filip Krajinovic, Dusan Lajovic, Laslo Djere and Miomir Kecmanovic.
In regular circumstances they’d have acquired vocal backing from Austria’s giant Serb inhabitants however the OlympiaHalle will likely be silent after Austria declared a nationwide lockdown to stem rising COVID-19 infections.
It means all of the ties in Group F and Group C will likely be performed with none followers current – a bitter blow to the occasion which was cancelled final 12 months due to the pandemic.
While unhappy that the vitality of the followers will likely be lacking, Djokovic helps the multi-city staging of the Davis Cup Finals, with foremost hosts Madrid additionally being joined by Turin.
In 2019 the entire occasion was staged in Madrid after the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) controversial revamp of the group competitors which had historically concerned house and away ties performed throughout a number of rounds via the 12 months.
“The Davis Cup should be experienced by more people. So I’m in favour of this year’s format and that there are more countries that can host group ties,” Djokovic stated.
“I didn’t think the format worked very well two years ago.”
Britain’s captain Leon Smith, whose aspect will play their Group C ties in Innsbruck, stated he wished extra open dialogue with the ITF and companions Kosmos Tennis, in regards to the format of the Davis Cup going ahead.
“I’m hearing that some things might be happening next year, but only hearing it second hand,” he stated. “It would be good to talk about it before decisions are made.”