Why Austria’s Davis Cup team got goosebumps in Tokyo

Austro-Samurai

In addition to the sport, team spirit was also not neglected. “On Sunday we had a very cool team building program with a samurai course,” says Melzer. Only then did we go onto the pitch: “Since then we have been preparing intensively for the international match.” Melzer’s conclusion after the first few days: “Everything is going well so far.” The mood within the team is as good as usual. “Fortunately, that’s always the case for us.”

As hosts, Japan leaves a positive impression. “We received a very warm welcome. They definitely put in a lot of effort,” says Melzer. From a sporting perspective, the conditions in the Ariake Coliseum were slightly different than expected. “The hard court is a bit slower than expected,” says Melzer and also provides an explanation: “That may also be because it is cold in the hall.” The temperatures were already an issue. One morning it was eleven degrees in the hall. “The heating had been turned off overnight and that’s why it was so fresh. In the afternoon it was at least 18 degrees, which was okay.”

His team is well prepared. “The training went well.” In the first few days the dosage was deliberate. The intensity has now been increased: “Yesterday and today were of course full training days.” Particularly important: “Things are going well so far, no one is injured, everyone is fit.”

According to Melzer, the home advantage for Japan will not be decisive. “Of course you have an advantage when the audience is behind you. Plus, you can choose the surface and the balls.” At the same time, Melzer is convinced: “I have seen that our boys can find their way around here well.” The covering is not rare. “On the tour you constantly play on hard courts.”

And Austria can handle the atmosphere well, as the away game in Hungary showed.