The end of the tennis season is reserved for the Davis Cup final, and the final tournament takes place from November 25 to December 5 this year. Croatia will play its first match in Turin on Thursday, November 25, against Australia, reports T.portal.
Marin Čilić, Nino Serdarušić, Borna Gojo, Nikola Mektić, and Mate Pavić are the forces that will represent Croatia in Turin. Croatia is in Group D with Hungary and Australia. If they win first place, they will also play against the winner of Group E (Italy, USA, Colombia) in the quarterfinals, also in Turin.
“We are sorry that Borna Ćorić is not with us, but we are happy to go to Turin. We wish Borna a speedy recovery and a return to the court. With this team, we also have a great chance considering the excellent form of Marin Čilić and the number one doubles team in the world, and with the whole team and the professional staff who are always with us. Therefore, we believe that we will pass the group and that we will reach the quarterfinals,” said Nikolina Babić, president of the Croatian Tennis Federation, at the press conference held at the Hilton Garden Inn Zagreb.
Nikolina Babić was recently elected vice president of Tennis Europe.
“It is a great recognition and an excellent chance for the Croatian Tennis Federation so that we can all do something more for Tennis Europe and European tennis in general, young players, and achieve greater opportunities for new tournaments to come to Croatia. Junior tennis must be more noticeable, and that is the part that will be worked on more. The focus will be on new programs.
We spent the last days in preparation. Unfortunately, due to a shoulder injury, which has been bothering him for a long time, Borna Ćorić will not compete. He will be replaced by Nino Serdarušić, along with Marin Čilić and Borna Gojo. We also have the best doubles team, Nikola Mektić, and Mate Pavić. Tomorrow morning we will travel to Turin where we will have training for the next four days. We play our first match on Thursday against Australia and Sunday against Hungary. I hope that we will pass our group and play in the quarterfinals against the winner of the group that is also played in Turin. After that, it will probably be Italy or the USA,” said Vedran Martić, the Croatia Davis Cup team coach.
In the first phase, the competition is held in six groups, and the six group winners and the two best second-placed national teams move forward.
Ahead of the Davis Cup competition, Borna Gojo said:
“I feel great. We will do our best and hope for the best result. Nikola Mektić and Mate Pavić are already there to be ready to welcome opponents who are quality players in both teams. We are happy because we have Marin Čilić, who is in great shape and the best doubles team in the world. We will also try to play as well as possible. I think we have a really good chance to go further,” said Gojo, while Nino Serdarušić added:
“We are ready to start the Davis Cup and can’t wait to get to Turin. We know both opponents well, Australia and Hungary. Two weeks ago, I played against Hungarians, and I believe in our team, and I think we can achieve great results.”
Croatia has won two Davis Cups so far.
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