The Australian Davis Cup team came to Graz with an impressive team of coaches. Also present: Tony Roche, Grand Slam Champion and former coach of Ivan Lendl.
By Jens Huiber from Graz
Tony Roche is actually the secret captain of the Australian Davis Cup team, Lleyton Hewitt said at his press conference on Friday. However, the now 73-year-old legend, winner of the 1966 French Open and former coach by Ivan Lendl, for example, has no desire to constantly explain himself to the assembled press.
This is different after the Australians have smashed in
tennisnet: Mr Roche. The double is now of decisive importance for your team on Saturday. What do you think is important?
Tony Roche: We just try to play a good, solid double. Even though we’re still not quite sure who’s going to play. But the main thing is to play as many points as possible because we don’t have a regular double on the ATP tour. So we have to find the right combination.
tennisnet: Lleyton Hewitt nominated Matthew Ebden against Germany at the beginning of the year. He played quite well in the summer. Why is Ebden missing from the team?
Roche: Sand is not his best surface. We need to be guided by who plays best where. And Ebden doesn’t get along so well with ashes.
tennisnet: How hard do you think it is for Australian players to find enough motivation? After all, you will definitely be playing in the World Group next year.
Roche: We always want to win. We have a new team for which it is very important to win.
tennisnet: You know Ivan Lendl very, very well. Ivan has just taken over as coach from Alexander Zverev. What does Lendl have to offer as a trainer?
Roche: Discipline will be the most important factor. And then hard work. I heard Zverev is a hard worker, but I think he’s gonna have to work a little harder. Maybe a little more aggressiveness in the match plan. And Zverev’s record at Grand Slam matches was far from as good as in best-of-three games, I think Ivan will focus on that.
tennisnet: Nick Kyrgios, who is missing here in Graz, is often said to have even more talent than Alexander Zverev. How do you compare the two?
Roche: These are two very different types of players. Both very young, both very talented. And both have the world at their feet. You just have to make the most of it.