Davis Cup
German tennis men defiant after Aus: “Dreams remain”
Deutsche Bank around Alexander Zverev (2nd from right) cheers on Daniel Altmaier (front) during the game against the Swiss Wawrinka. photo
© Harald Tittel/dpa
After many successes in the past, there is a setback for Germany’s tennis men in the Davis Cup. Instead of the title, this year it’s all about staying in the class.
The surprising end of the Davis Cup hit the German tennis men to the core. Daniel Altmaier cried bitterly at the subsequent press conference after losing the decisive singles game against Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka.
“I don’t know when I’ve ever been so emotional after a match,” said the debutant, who had given the three-time Grand Slam champion a thrilling two-and-a-half-hour fight. In the end, it wasn’t quite enough for the 24-year-old, which is why Germany surprisingly lost 3-2 to Switzerland.
Also because top player Alexander Zverev is still on a sporty roller coaster ride after his serious foot injury. On Friday, the Olympic champion shone in a two-set win against Wawrinka, on Saturday he disappointed in the two-set defeat against Marc-Andrea Hüsler. “You’re always disappointed after a defeat, especially when you play for Germany,” said Zverev, whose two points were planned.
Because it was only one in the end and Jan-Lennard Struff was injured and missing a point guarantor of the past few years, Germany has to go to the playoffs in September to stay in the world group. After the successful performance in previous years, when the German team was an integral part of the finals, a setback that does not change the big ambitions for the future. “Switzerland was a bit better. But we still won’t let our dreams fall,” said team manager Michael Kohlmann with a view to the goal of bringing the Davis Cup trophy to Germany for the first time since 1993.
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