The “KURIER Austria Davis Cup Team” has been in Bologna since Saturday and has been preparing on the court and in the weight room since Sunday for the duel with Italy on Wednesday (4 p.m., ORF 1). “We’re happy to be here, that’s not the case every year,” says Captain Jürgen Melzer. “We’ve already had a lot of training, we’ll try to be ready on Wednesday.”
The world number one performs without Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti Melzer still kept his feet on the ground at a media meeting on Monday: “There are few teams that can have two players like that and still have a top team.”
Perfect organization
Been there since Sunday Martin Ohneberg in Bologna, der President of the Austrian Tennis Association (SCT) sees a meticulous team that enjoys their work. “There is an excellent dynamic in the team, everyone is ready and pulling together,” says the Vorarlberg native, who also has a very fine overall impression. “Everything is perfectly organized, the players from all eight teams live in one hotel. And the training in the large hall is particularly fun.” Of course, apart from training, he has business appointments with the ÖTV managing director Thomas Schweda true.
What would Austria’s Davis Cup team be without its loyal supporters? A total of 400, 500 come from Austria, but the biggest stir on Wednesday will again be the small but fine one Fan Group make. “We Hardcore fans Gnadenberger & Co. There will be 23 people,” smiles Chief Whip Stefan Gnadenberger, who arrives in Bologna with his people on Tuesday evening. In Debrecen, too, the game provided a strong tailwind for Jurij Rodionov & Co. The rest is a small piece of tennis history. “They are extremely important for us,” says the doubles specialist Lucas Miedler. “The best thing is to celebrate with them after victories.”