Davis Cup: Team Captain Stefan Koubek: “Dennis Novak is one step ahead”

During the press conferences before the Davis Cup match between Austria and Australia, the two team captains Stefan Koubek and Lleyton Hewitt gave insights into the respective condition of their teams.

The Austrian team is still waiting for superstar Dominic Thiem. The US Open quarter-finalist will join the Austrians on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning and then meticulously prepare for the singles on Friday. Who will play the second match is not quite clear yet.

Right now, Dennis Novak has the better cards. “Over the year Dennis has outperformed Gerald Melzer. But sand is Gerald’s favourite surface, so I haven’t quite decided yet. But Dennis is currently one step ahead,” says Koubek. A final decision is expected on Wednesday evening.

The decisive factor for this will be the training performance on the clay court in Graz. In general the court is in a sensational condition, paired with the outstanding organization the Styrians may look forward to a tennis festival. “It’s a 50/50 game. The home advantage can be decisive,” says Koubek.

According to the Austrian team captain, the only downer is the retirement of entertainer Nick Kyrgios, who captivates viewers all over the world with his extroverted manner. “The speedy surface and the high ball bounce would have certainly benefited him. That’s why his retirement is certainly not so bad, even if the Australians still have a good team,” explains Koubek.

On the Austrian side, double specialist Alexander Peya is missing. “Jürgen Melzer will certainly represent him adequately.” The line-up for what may be the decisive double appears to have already been determined. The veterans Oliver Marach and Jürgen Melzer are probably set. I suppose John Peers and Playing Captain Lleyton Hewitt will face you.

Hewitt himself left all options open at the press conference. “There’s a chance I could play doubles. But we have to wait for the first day and then we will see further,” said the former world number one. In the singles he will probably summon John Millman and Alex de Minaur.

For both teams it is about a place in the world group. Hewitt could not confirm that Australia will play in this match regardless of the outcome. “I don’t know any more than you do. This is an absolute joke. I’m disappointed with the ITF,” the 37-year-old did not leave a good hair on the world federation.