Novak Djokovic’s Serbia captain responds to Rafa Nadal’s Davis Cup absence ahead of clash

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Novak Djokovic’s Davis Cup captain has reacted to rival team Spain’s line-up following the absence of Rafael Nadal. Serbia and Spain will face off alongside Canada and South Korea in Group B of the Davis Cup Finals group stage in Valencia next month but the host nation will be without their No 1 player.

Djokovic and Nadal were expected to face off in next month’s Davis Cup Finals group stage when Serbia and Spain were drawn in the same group back in April. But the world No 3 was noticeably absent from his country’s five-man squad when it was announced on Monday, while the 21-time Major champion will be in Valencia to represent Serbia.

The world No 6’s team captain has now responded after learning his nation will not need to get through Nadal as they bid for a spot in November’s Davis Cup Finals, and claimed that the squad never expected the 36-year-old to play. “We know all the Spanish players as they know us, there are no hidden cards, everything is as clear as day,” former pro Viktor Troicki said per Danas.

While the former world No 12 wasn’t surprised Nadal was skipping the group stage, he thought the 22-time Grand Slam champion would be back with his team if Spain reached the Finals week in November, adding: “We didn’t expect Nadal, he might join their team in Malaga in November, but we did all the others on the list.”

JUST IN: Ukrainian ex-pro’s fiery statement after Russian got fan kicked out

Djokovic will be playing alongside Miomir Kecmanovic, Filip Krajinovic, Laslo Djere and Dusan Lajovic. Meanwhile, Spain has still put up a strong team in world No 4 Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Alejandro Davidoich Fokina, Marcel Granollers and recent Montreal champion Pablo Carreno Busta.

Despite the absence of Nadal, Troicki was still full of praise for Spain’s squad as he explained how dangerous they could be. “Spain is probably the strongest Davis Cup team in the world right now,” he confessed.

DON’T MISS
Nick Kyrgios explains change in mentality as he cracks injury joke
Kyrgios gives verdict on Raducanu vs Williams but won’t be watching
Kyrgios booed by Cincinnati crowd for swearing and whacking ball away

“They have a lot of top players who are top class. The team names and their ranking says it all, but Davis Cup is Davis Cup, nothing is guaranteed, every point has to be worked for and earned. Everyone comes with the same goal, which is to win.”

Source: Read Full Article