Switzerland have won their first ever Davis Cup and it is a fitting win for one of their great sporting ambassadors, Roger Federer.
There is no doubt that this will be a victory that Federer will savour. The 17-times grand slam champion had to stave off back problems during the weekend and also bounce back from Friday’s defeat by Gael Monfils. Federer was imperious on serve, although he made more unforced errors than the his opponent Richard Gasquet – 24 to 21 – but hit an incredible 62 winners, before wrapping up the match with a cunning drop shot to hand France a third defeat in their last three finals.
This victory will be sweet for Federer who has always been a fan of the Davis Cup and has urged the powers that be to give the tournament more credibility. It was he several years ago who asked the ATP World Tour is they could find a window each year where the Davis cup could be slotted in; he had already identified an ideal time. He then wanted the tournament to be taken around the world, to take tennis to the people. So that countries who rarely see the best players could host the tournament in a 7 – 10 day tournament, with nations playing each other in a world cup style knockout format. He managed to obtain support from the other top ranked players, but the powers that be rejected his approach.
So for Federer this would have been a special win, as he has always been quick to say how special it is to play for his country, and the only opportunities come in the Davis Cup and the Olympic Games; Olympic Gold is now the only honour missing from his trophy cabinet, having lost the London 2012 final to Andy Murray. “I’ve been playing this game for almost 15 years and clearly I had never come as close than this past weekend, I’m happy I stayed calm and played a good match when I had to. I’m really happy for all the guys in the team.” The world Number two said.
Maybe now as a winner he will try again, and hopefully the powers that be will listen as the tournament would benefit from having total focus on it once a year.
