Gael Monfils, Janko Tipsarevic argue before Davis Cup Final Opener
Frenchman Gael Monfils, World Number 12 and Serbian World Number 49 Janko Tipsarevic exchanged arguments on Thursday, a day before the two players and their teams compete against each other for the Davis Cup Final opener.
The verbal jousts were initiated by the French player, who suggested that his Serbian opponent was likely to struggle with the fact that the crowd would have huge expectations from him, as he was chosen for the Davis Cup team over Viktor Troicki. Troicki
is currently World Number 30 on the ATP Tour. Monfils commented, “I think he [Tipsarevic] will be very nervous coming out first in front of the Serbian crowd.” Monfils is so far undefeated in his team’s Davis Cup run, as they go for a 16th Davis
Cup. He added, “I will try to be very relaxed and play my game. Of course there is pressure but that’s all part of the game.”
Tipsarevic, who is better known for his Oakley glasses and Dostoyevsky quotation tattoos, laughed off Monfils’ insults. The bearded Serbian, who debuted for the Davis Cup team in 2000, says, “If Gael thinks I’m going to be more nervous than him in front
of 18,000 Serbs he better think again. Of course we are both under pressure and he is no doubt a very good Davis Cup player but I honestly don’t think he can be completely relaxed in front of a passionate home crowd.”
Tipsarevic has been awarded a spot in the singles matches behind World Number 3 Novak Djokovic, who is set to meet Frenchman Gilles Simon on Friday's rubber. Tipsarevic’s replying taunt is justified, as he clinched a place for Serbia in their first Davis
Cup final with a clean victory over Czech player Radek Stepanek back in September. This tie was also played in the Belgrade Arena, which has earned itself the distinction of being a fortress for the Serbian team.
Novak Djokovic holds a 5-1 career record against his opponent, including the recent Shanghai win. Therefore, French hopes for a 10th Davis Cup title win rest heavily on Monfils and his first tie. He seems to have no problem with this, saying,
“I’m happy to play first. If I bring the first point in it will put more pressure on Novak and Gilles can play a better match if we’re 1-0. So I think it’s good for the team.”
Meanwhile, French team captain Guy Forget has cited players such as Michael Llodra (who is coached by former WTA pro Amelie Mauresmo) or Amaud Clement as considered choices for second singles players, since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is injured. However, he picked
Simon at the end, despite the fact that he has only played three ties in the competition. Meanwhile, Llodra and Clement will instead form a team to fight against Saturday’s doubles rubber match against Nenad Zimonjic and Troicki.
Guy Forget also said that he has Richard Gasquet as a reserve, and suggested that Serbia were relying entirely on Djokovic. He said, “One of our strengths is Tsonga was our number one player and hasn’t played the last two matches. These guys have been able
to make the finals without Jo. I don’t know if Serbia could have gone to the finals without Novak.”
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