Science textbooks tell us that an object behaves as if it’s entire weight is concentrated at one point. That point, is it’s centre of gravity. To borrow from science then, if Friday’s Davis Cup World Group Playoff tie between India and Spain is considered an object, then Rafael Nadal is its centre of gravity.
India’s realistic hopes of getting back into the World Group vanished when Spain fielded a full strength team. Hope-crusher-in-chief was world No. 5 Nadal. He will also be the reason why this is possibly the most anticipated Davis Cup match in India in recent times.
The Delhi Lawn Tennis Association’s Facebook page has been buzzing with questions about the free entry passes. Their office has seen queues of tennis fans waiting patiently for the last three days. Some of these are hardcore fans, who watch every match the city hosts. But most are here for Nadal. And they may get twice the joy.
Against a quartet of matadors
The 14-time Grand Slam winner could feature in both singles and doubles. Never change the winning combination, they say, but Spanish non-playing captain Conchita Martinez has two of these on her bench. Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez are the reigning French Open champions, and Nadal and Marc Lopez recently won the Olympic Gold in Rio. World No. 13 David Ferrer completes the intrepid quartet of matadors for this tie.
Why is Spain fielding such a strong team in what is clearly a mismatch, you may ask? It is because despite having a whopping 11 players in the top 100 (the most for any country), Spain found themselves out of the top 16 teams that comprise the World Group after 18 years. The five-time champions lost away to Brazil in a World Group Playoff in 2014, being relegated for the first time since 1996. They then lost 3-2 to Russia in the Europe/Africa Group I last year, after leading 2-0. “It's tough for us not to be in World Group”, Nadal said. “So we are looking forward to coming back to the World Group, and that's the chance to win here.”
Playing perfect hosts
India, on the other hand, seem intent on playing the perfect hosts. Two months ago, India had pitted the visiting South Koreans against the most Indian of conditions. The tie was held on grass, a surface few pro players from other countries are accustomed to. India also banked on the heat and humidity to work in their favour. The plan almost backfired, with players from both teams needing medical time-outs for cramps. But the visitors wilted first, both singles rubbers being won through retirements. Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna then sealed the matter in the doubles, giving India another shot at making the World Group.
This time though, the IATA seems to have taken the phrase Atithi devo bhava (A guest is equivalent to god) quite seriously. While grass courts after the monsoon were not an option, the Spaniards were expected to be tested by the heat of Delhi, where the tie was scheduled. The AITA however, surprised many – including Indian non-playing captain Anand Amritraj – when they scheduled the match in the evening.
“We normally like hot conditions and playing in the evening certainly works better for the Spanish," said Amritraj. Paes, however, offered another perspective worth considering. With all of Spain’s players regulars at Grand Slam matches, whose singles last five sets, it was foolish to hope the heat would get to them to them.
“I have always believed you need to look after your players first. To play Rafa and David Ferrer in middle of the day...they are known marathon men of tennis,” he said. “It's a very smart [decision] to play in the evening.” Martinez also echoed his thoughts. “The conditions are hard in Australia and at the US Open. So if we had to play during day, I am sure we would have been ready", she said.
India, meanwhile, are without three of their first-choice players: Rohan Bopanna, Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri are all set to miss out because of injury. The withdrawal of Bopanna, just last Saturday, was a major blow, as India’s slim chances of claiming a point rested in the doubles rubber. Paes could now find himself partnering either Saketh Myneni or Sumit Nagal. Neither pair is likely to help Paes win his 42nd match though, one that would see him equal Italian Nicola Pietrangeli’s Davis Cup record.
In the singles, Myneni and recently blooded debutante Ramkumar Ramanathan have an opportunity to play with a liberating insouciance that Davis Cup rarely affords them. That can be uplifting for a player, and could precipitate something unexpected. Nadal, on Tuesday, put it best: “In Davis Cup, special things can happen.”
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