Stepanek played a key role in Czech Republic’s two Davis Cup title wins. Stepanek played a key role in Czech Republic’s two Davis Cup title wins.

He may have been eclipsed by Tomas Berdych of late, but Radek Stepanek still remains a hugely popular figure in Czech tennis history, having helped his country to back-to-back Davis Cup titles in 2012 and 2013. Ahead of this weekend’s Davis Cup World Group play-off against India, Stepanek takes time out to talk about Czech Republic’s chances and the challenge of facing friend Leander Paes.

Your take on Davis Cup tie against India.

We are looking to get three points… that’s what we are looking at. Our intent is to stay in the World Group. India is obviously a tough opponent at home, and it is important to get used to the conditions here. Having said that, we have the quality in our side, and we will prove it over the weekend.

What are the strengths of this Czech Republic side?

Despite Tomas’s (Berdych) absence, we have a compact team, which is an ideal blend of youth and experience. What is important is the team spirit, which we have in abundance.

Will Berdych’s absence affect your team’s chances?

Losing Berdych is difficult. But as a side, we have the experience of playing tough matches in the past, either at home or abroad, and we know how to get through it. This experience will keep us in good stead going into the play-offs this weekend. Since we are currently ranked No.1 in the world, we cannot say that we are not the favourites. However, With Berdych’s absence, India will start as favourites in doubles, but I believe our strength lies in singles.

You have partnered Paes on several occasions. Your thoughts on facing him as an opponent?

We have played together quite a lot and enjoy each other’s company. It’s always fun playing with Leander… be it in practice or in a Grand Slam final. There are a lot of similarities between the two of us. We are contemporaries, and grew as players at the same time. Like Leander, even I had to work hard for my success in my initial years. As we always say, we are like brothers from different mothers. I share a great rapport with him and know how popular he is in India. Facing him as an opponent will be funny. As a player, he is now picking and choosing what he wants to play… so facing him will be a challenge that I am looking forward to. On a personal note, Leander will be keen on doing well in front of his home crowd.

Any interesting anecdote you would like to share about your partnership with Leander.

(After a long pause) Before the finals of the 2012 Australian Open, Leander and I were waiting in our locker room. I switched on my laptop to read Czech newspapers online. Leander, who was standing next to me, began to read them, despite having no clue as to what he was reading. On top of that Leander’s accent he had put on made the whole situation pretty hilarious and took away the stress from both of us before a major Grand Slam finals.

Apart from facing Leander, will the sweltering heat bother you?

I don’t think so. We still have four days to go before the start of the play-offs, so I don’t think we have to rush into it. After the US Open, I headed to Florida and spent some time there. So the humidity and extreme heat is not a factor. All the players in this contingent are professionals and know how to adapt.

You were instrumental in Czech Republic’s 2013 Davis Cup title win over Serbia.

We had already played against Serbia in 2010, so Tomas and I knew what to expect and were ready for the challenge. The home crowd were boisterous and were egging Djokovic and his team. We were just concerned on our half of the court and wanted to play good percentage tennis, which came off. Djokovic defeated me in a tough duel and Berdych got the better of Dusan Lajovic. For some reason, Djokovic didn’t participate in the doubles, which worked to our advantage.

What according to you has been the defining moment of your career?

The two Davis Cup wins (2012 and 2013) have been the highlight of my career so far. In Prague, I played the fifth match when the score was 2-2. It is something you dream of as a kid. Playing for your country in Davis Cup is such an amazing feeling that cannot be described.

Your thoughts on Roger Federer’s ‘SABR’ attack.

It is interesting to see a champion like Roger Federer reinventing himself at this stage of his career. The concept is pretty unique, but one which is hard to implement. I don’t think a lot of contemporary players will try out Roger’s tactics simply because most of them are more traditional baseline players.

Italian menu on Czech platter

New Delhi: Nearly four weeks before Czech Republic’s Davis Cup team landed in India, their team director Vladimir Safarik was in New Delhi on a recce, to examine the facilities that were on offer for his players.

There were initially talks doing the rounds that the Czech team would be accompanied by a chef who would monitor the players’ diet during their week-long stint in India. However, during Safarik’s recent visit to Delhi, he requested the All India Tennis Association (AITA) to incorporate menu that was tailor-made for his players — one which took into account the players’ dietary preferences and health.

“Since our food habits were different to that of the Indians, we wanted a more Italian-style food like pasta, rice and chicken to be incorporated in our menu. The food on offer also needed to take into account the fitness of our team. Once we got the assurances from them, we were satisfied,” Safarik said.

Apart from the menu, players’ accommodation and transportation were also discussed. AITA’s assurances on the facilities on offer helped clear Safarik’s doubts before the team set out for India. A former tennis player himself, Safarik was Czech Republic’s non-playing captain during their triumph over Serbia two years ago. Ahead of this weekend’s encounter in the Davis Cup World Group playoff, Safarik concedes India are the favourites in doubles.

The 51-year-old also reckons that individual rankings do not count in Davis Cup. “In such encounters a player who is ranked 100 can on his day easily beat someone who is ranked in the 20s,” he added. —ENS

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