Davis Cup: Koubek:”I am very happy about this change”

The 40-year-old is delighted with the new format, which will be used in the Europe/Africa zone from next season onwards, the 40-year-old’s captain Stefan Koubek sees his team in the favourites role in the next duel between the Austrian Davis Cup team and Belarus. In addition, he considers Dominic Thiem’s likelihood of joining the team to be high.

Before the current Davis Cup season is over, the first round for the 2018 season has already been drawn, with Austria facing the same opponent at home as in 2017, Belarus. In an interview with Laola1, Captain Stefan Koubek already looked ahead to the upcoming task at the beginning of February.

Stefan Koubek on…

… Belarus’ first-round opponent:”Belarus is very strong. They really surprised us back then (last April, note) and presented themselves very well in Minsk. I assume that Dominic Thiem will be there. But with Gerald Melzer, Sebastian Ofner and a good double, we’re definitely the favourites and will go off the pitch as the winner.”

… the chances of Dominic Thiem’s participation:”The date is relatively good for Dominic. It’s the week after the Australian Open and after that he has a week to prepare for the clay court tournament in Buenos Aires. Dominic is certainly motivated to play in the Davis Cup again.”

… the new format in the Davis Cup (games on two days, only best-of-three, five players allowed):”It’s now of course nice to be able to arrive with a fixed double duo and still have a substitute single player. I am very happy about this change. We will only see to what extent the reduction to two days will have an effect. I think it’s a good decision from a sporting point of view.

… Dominic Thiem’s performance slump at the end of the season:”It was a tough ending for him. Unfortunately, at the end of the season he was not able to call up his performance. This is what happens. In the year before, many victories were a surprise or sensation. These victories were expected this year and you had to bring your performance. Of course it has to do with the head. But it is always the question of how to change that. But such a long season also consumes and makes you tired in your head. Maybe some tournaments have been played too much.