Spain’s passage to the Davis Cup final had not yet been resolved, when a popular Italian journalist asked Jaume Munar about Alexander Zverev and his virtues, fearing that his country, having qualified the night before, might meet the German the next day. At that moment Pablo Carreño had already beaten Jan-Lennard Struff in the first round and the Majorcan had fallen to number three in the world in the second. With 1-1 on the scoreboard and, therefore, everything to be decided in the doubles, the Balearic tennis player replied before the journalist finished: “What if we played against Italy?” Munar suspected something and sniffed around the federation: “There is something in the air within the team.”
That something refers to unity, as well as the collective sense as the backbone of a week in which players were reminded time and time again of Carlos Alcaraz’s heavy absence; Therefore certainly underestimating the possibilities of a very equipped group that impeccably resolved the departure for Biel in February and then, put under pressure on 14 September, escaped a terminal circumstance against Denmark in Marbella. “We are in the final (3.00pm, Movistar+) because they (the tennis players) are very good and because they believed in it”, underlined Ferrer, who in turn spoke of a “healthy” team and underlined the key moment: “If we are here it is not because of me, but because of everyone, but above all because of what Pedro did”.
It was the Valencian Martínez who prevented Holger Rune from signing the point with which everything would have ended. A discreet and shy boy, of few words in public, he revived the match against the Nordiques that afternoon and once again delivered. With the increasingly consolidated partnership with Marcel Granollers, after deciding the series against Germany he simplified: “We are humble”. Alzira was reminded of the parody movement that has been expanding on social networks for some time, where tennis players like Munar take revenge with humor (The magic, @BerridosDeMunar). “I take it as a joke. It’s funny and they’re funny. I get angry,” says the latter.
It turns out that this current pushed the Majorcan and gave wings to all members of the team, wanting to demonstrate that in addition to being good people, they are magnificent competitors. Low profile, not lower. Without Alcaraz in the lineup, either during the year or now at Bologna, these days have represented the ideal opportunity to relaunch. “We all wanted Carlos to be here, but these things happen. We all believed in it, we moved forward day after day and point after point. We can compete in all situations and we are proving it. But we want to continue,” underlined Granollers, after Ferrer ruled: “Carlos is not here. But we believed we could have a great week.”
Without Nadal
The trainer hinted that it was a day to enjoy: “But only until dinner.” And, at a certain point in his speech, he brought up an old episode that these days bounces off the walls of the hotel where the Spanish team is staying: Mar del Plata. To remember: 2008, the third Salad Bowl; that group which, like today without Alcaraz, overcame the loss of Rafael Nadal (tendinitis in his right knee) and ended up beating Argentina at home (1-3). Ferrer, in an effervescent phase despite being defeated by David Nalbandian, was one of the protagonists of that hot Spain that rebelled, finally relaunched thanks to the victories of Feliciano López (against Del Potro), Fernando Verdasco (Acasuso) and the duo formed by both in doubles (Nalbandian and Calleri).
Those who experienced the episode first hand (21-23 November) still remember the ardor of the fans at the Islas Malvinas Sports Centre. There, swearing, lots of friction and tennis at the limit, in the form of a trap; hard pitch to deteriorate the offensive potential of the guests, well managed by Emilio Sánchez Vicario. There was also the young Granollers, now 39 years old and then 22 years old. “You had to have courage to win there,” appreciated Manolo Santana; “Without Rafa, the Argentines gained confidence and took everything for granted. But they fell into the trap.” Now, neither Alcaraz nor Italy can count on Sinner, but the spirit of that experience accompanies travelers today.
“This is something we already did in Mar del Plata. We played away and with everything against us, and we still managed to win,” Ferrer said. “So why not? I don’t take it as a negative thing, but a positive one. Playing outside, with the crowd against you and in the midst of that environment, I (retired since 2019) can no longer enjoy it… But the players are prepared. There will be difficult moments, but we will have our options. I see it as a great challenge, as something that will be beautiful; as an opportunity to take revenge. They have already done it, but from there, whatever comes from there…”, explained the Alicante player, who has won three Davis Cup times and played 33 matches, with only five defeats.
What is certain is that the stands of the Bologna Fair will push hard, just as Spain will counter the same tusk of recent days, against the Czech Republic and Germany. Cleverly, Ferrer suggests his people turn the tables and find enjoyment where there should theoretically be suffering. The warm atmosphere that the 11,000 participants will offer, he says, should serve as an incentive in the definitive search for the seventh trophy, which would succeed the one obtained in 2019 (Caja Mágica in Madrid) and would put Spain on a par with Sweden. Since the start of the new century, no nation has come close to the number of titles (6); Russia, the chaser, scored three. And among the memories, in fact, the flame lit in 2008 is rekindled.
DRAWING AND LIVE IN SEPTEMBER
CA | Bologna
Ferrer played down the fact that his team has one day less rest than Italy when it comes to the final. “We accept it, we are ready to fight,” he said, underlining the current strength of transalpine tennis and his team, champions of the last two editions.
The next final phase will also take place at the Bologna Fair, but first the teams will have to pass a double qualifying round from which, in part, Spain has been exempted. Ferrer’s men will not have to play the preliminary round in February (6-7 or 7-8), but will have to play the one in September, after the US Open (18-19 or 19-20). You will do it at home, as required by law.
Italy will receive an invitation, as organizer, which avoids that first commitment for the Spanish, finalists. However, on Sunday he will know who his opponent will be in the match in mid-September; We will know from 12:00, when the International Tennis Federation (ITF, in English) will draw the pairings and specify the corresponding dates for everyone.
