Champions respect their opponents and the Czech team accorded a lot of respect to the host on its arrival for the Davis Cup World Group play-off tie here on Monday.
The hot and humid conditions may have been discouraging, but not for the three-time champion team whose every member was wholehearted in expressing his commitment for the country in the Davis Cup campaign.
A young team, without the services of world No. 6 Tomas Berdych arrived in the early hours of Monday.
It promptly got to the courts, both at the RK Khanna Stadium and the show court No. 1 of the Delhi Lawn Tennis Associaiton (DLTA), under a scorching sun, unmindful of the jet lag.
The seasoned Radek Stepanek, who had helped the Czech team clinch the trophy at home in Prague in 2012 by winning the fifth rubber against Spain and had repeated the performance against Serbia in Belgrade in 2013, recalled the fond memories, even as he was drenched in sweat and it formed a pool at his feet.
“Holding the trophy in front of parents and close friends was such an honour. It is the best thing I have experienced in tennis. Even Grand Slams don’t give that feeling,” said the 36-year-old Stepanek.
He said that it would be interesting to see Leander Paes, who he had played doubles with on the professional Tour, on the other side of the court and conceded that the Indian team did have a slight edge in doubles, owing to the vast experience of Paes and Rohan Bopanna.
However, the Czech team fancied its chances in singles, even though it rated Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri high, especially when playing in familiar home conditions.
Stepanek, who had played a Challenger in Chandigarh about 18 years ago and the Chennai Open more recently, said that he expected a lot of people in the stands as entry had been kept free. However, the organisers felt that the school examinations may mean a limited crowd for the opening day’s action on Friday.
The 22-year-old Jiri Vesely, ranked 48th in the world, who had beaten Ivo Karlovic in five sets in the second round of the US Open, said that he was ready for the challenge even though he had limited experience in the Davis Cup arena.
On the absence of Berdych, Stepanek said that it was a personal decision and that it had to be respected. He also observed that the young team had the experience of winning ties without the top star.
“We have two top-100 players and Stepanek was top-30 for a long time. Any team that is trying to get into the World Group is not going to be easy. I don’t expect easy matches,” said Vesely.
The Indian team, strengthened by the arrival of Rohan Bopanna, Saketh Myneni, Ramkumar Ramanathan, and expecting Yuki Bhambri soon and Leander Paes later, went through its training sessions with diligence.
