Novak Djokovic requested by Davis Cup captain to help Serbia ‘go far’
Novak Djokovic has been mentioned by the Serbian Davis Cup captain, Viktor Troicki, after the draw took place for the finals group stage.
Djokovic was part of the first Serbian winning Davis Cup team in 2010, that included now captain Troicki, and has represented his country in seven out of the possible 11 years since.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion was scheduled to compete for his country once again last year, but withdrew due to ‘personal reasons’.
Serbia qualified for this year’s group stage finals in comfortable fashion, after beating Norway 4-0, without Djokovic being there.
Last year Serbia were in a group with Spain, eventual champions Canada and South Korea, and despite beating Canada and South Korea were unable to qualify for the knockout stages.
The 2010 champions are in an almost identical group in 2023, with Czech Republic replacing Canada, and the country’s captain has voiced his opinions on the draw.
“First of all, we are glad that this year we are in the group stage of the Davis Cup World Group,” said Troicki who retired back in 2021.
He continued, “We are in a similar group to 2022, playing again in Valencia and again against the host Spain, as well as South Korea, which we know extremely well. The new opponent is the Czech national team.”
The Finals Group Stage are set?
Who are you supporting? #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/2pgw1MjgvS
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) March 29, 2023
The team that represented Serbia last year consisted of Miomir Kecmanovic, Filip Krajinovic, Laslo Djere, Dusan Lajovic and Nikola Cacic.
While Troicki is ‘sure’ that they can get through the group with this team, he admitted that having No.2 Djokovic could be the key to another Davis Cup triumph.
“I’m sure we can get through this group and qualify for the final competition in November. If our number one tennis player Novak Djokovic is in the team with him, we can definitely go far in this competition,” claimed Troicki.
With Serbia in a group with Spain once again, tennis fans have been hyping up the potential clash for Djokovic with world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz.
If Djokovic is to compete at the Davis Cup this year, he will head to Valencia for the group stages that take place between the 12th and 17th September in an attempt to qualify for the knockout stages in Malaga.
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