Can Great Britain do something that nobody has managed since July’s Wimbledon final – beating Novak Djokovic?
Serbiza is a tough opponent in the Davis Cup quarter-finals, largely due to Djokovic’s outstanding skills. But even Djokovic can’t dominate every match in a team format, setting the stage for a potential doubles showdown.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Djokovic acknowledged, “If we split the singles matches, then we’re getting into the doubles where they have best players in the world.”
Djokovic’s participation in the Davis Cup, following his recent triumphs in Turin, displays the allure and prestige of the event, despite tennis’s diminishing luster.
Instead of taking a break, Djokovic has recommitted to Serbia’s campaign, reflecting his desire to win just the second Davis Cup in their history.
On the other hand, injuries to Dan Evans and Andy Murray have left team captain Leon Smith with only two top-100 singles players. Cam Norrie and 22-year-old Jack Draper are the remaining players.
It will be Draper who leads off on Thursday, facing a seemingly unattainable victory against Djokovic.
Djokovic has won one of the four doubles matches this year
The British team hopes for the conditions Djokovic mentioned, relying on a split-point scenario in doubles play to bring them closer to victory.
With the Davis Cup format’s history of surprises, Smith’s men should take inspiration as they seek to pull off an upset of their own.
Jessica Roberts serves up the latest in the world of tennis. With a love for the racket sport, she reports on tennis matches, player rankings, and Grand Slam events, ensuring readers stay informed about the tennis world.