NEWS
Davis Cup in Vienna: Melzer expects "50:50 match" on the football pitch
Davis Cup captain Jürgen Melzer looks forward to a tennis festival in Vienna's Prater and gives his team good chances.
The goal is Bologna!
A lot is at stake in this weekend's Davis Cup tie between Austria and Belgium (from Friday in the LIVE ticker). The victorious nation will advance to the "Final 8," the Davis Cup finals tournament in 2026 (November 24-29).
Austria could qualify for this tournament for the second consecutive time. Davis Cup captain Jürgen Melzer looks forward to the upcoming weekend with anticipation:
"We are competing with the hope that we will qualify for Bologna again, that a tennis festival can emerge in Vienna's Prater, that many people will come to support the team. And with the expectation, of course, that we will have three points at the end."
Belgian Superstars Pull Out
It is to Austria's advantage that two Belgian superstars have withdrawn. Raphaël Collignon (ATP No. 47) and Alexander Blockx (ATP No. 27) will not be playing in Vienna. The latter caused a sensation at the US Open by reaching the quarterfinals, but his body now needs a break.
Belgium's top player withdraws from Davis Cup in Vienna >>>
Melzer now sees the chances of advancement as improved. Before the withdrawals, he had estimated them at 30 to 70. "I believe we were clear underdogs before. Now, with the withdrawals and home advantage, I believe we are looking at a 50:50 match."
Long-Awaited Return to Vienna
The tie in Vienna is also special due to its venue. The last Davis Cup match in the federal capital was also held in Vienna's Prater 18 years ago, at the Ferry-Dusika-Stadion, which no longer exists.
In the 2008 international match between Austria and the USA, Melzer himself was on court as a player. He lost a legendary match 4:6, 6:4, 3:6, 7:6, 3:6 against Andy Roddick. At that time, the Davis Cup was still played in a "best-of-five" format.
Venue is "Unique"
The ÖTV Sports Director and Davis Cup captain raves about the new venue on the grounds of the WAC tennis club: "It looks incredible. With Herwig (Note: Straka), we have once again created something unique. A tennis stadium on a football pitch – that has happened before in the past. I am simply looking forward to having the opportunity to present ourselves in Vienna again."
On Friday, September 18, the first two singles matches will take place, followed by the doubles and possibly two more singles matches on Saturday. It remains to be seen with excitement which two players from the trio of Rodionov, Schwärzler, and Neumayer will be fielded by Melzer in the first two ties.
