Cerúndolo, Báez and Etcheverry are “close enemies” in Davis Cup: the strong internal competition to play singles against Kazakhstan

The sun was beating down on the Horse rider from Rosario and there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky to filter the rays a little and make the suffocating Thursday afternoon more bearable. The thermometer reached 37 degrees while Francisco Cerúndolo AND Sebastiano Baez They trained on the center court of the Fisherton neighborhood club. Despite the high temperatures and humidity, they gave no respite during a set belonging to the Buenos Aires native. Tomas Etcheverry I had already sweated – a lot – through my shirt during the morning, also braving the high thermal sensation.

The postcards were similar to those of a previous day, also very hot, the first that the Argentine team had played on the clay which will host the championship on Saturday and Sunday. Kazakhstanfor the Qualifiers of the Davis Cup 2024. But neither Franneither Sebas nor Tommy They didn’t complain about the heat nor did they relax the intensity, aware of the healthy internal competition they’ve had in recent weeks for a very nice prize: being able to take to the court to play the singles in the duel against the Kazakhs. A competition which – as happened when they took their first steps in professionalism and fought to enter the elite – makes them raise their level more and more and which continues to generate “problems” for the captain. Guillermo Coria.

“The three of us are in the top 30, there is a difference of a few positions and all three of us play good tennis. Some might have better weeks than others at some point, but we are very balanced and that’s great. Because if a week one is bad and the other feels better and the Davis Cup is around the corner, it’s good that we can have different options. And this also pushes us to push ourselves. We all want to play singles and it’s a nice healthy atmosphere. competition to try to reach the best level and get to Saturday in the best possible way,” reflects Cerúndolo, the best in the standings (22nd), although perhaps in a weaker moment.

The fact is that the man from Buenos Aires, who arrived at the end of last year Franco Davino to his team – added just one win and three losses on the hardcourt tour that opened the season. “I was ill in the pre-season. I had a virus and it took me a long time to recover. I arrived in Australia without pain, feeling good, but I was missing that competitive rhythm that is lost and that if you don’t train, once you are already in tournaments “It’s difficult. And it gets complicated,” he said.

Etcheverry, 28th, arrives with great confidence, having reached the third round of the first Slam of the year, in which he defeated Andy Murray AND Gaël Monfils and I said goodbye to Novak Djokovic. The player from La Plata agreed with his teammate how much that “race” is worth to take the field this weekend.

“We will always give our best because we are in the same category and we were born together. From an early age there is this competition, but always with a lot of respect, which is the most important thing. We motivated each other, which led to the three of us to be where we are today. And this will continue to happen,” he commented.

“It’s very positive that this happens, that the three of us are at a very similar and very high level. The ranking also says so, we’re almost close. And it’s positive for the captain to have three players who, if it’s their turn to come on, can do good,” he added.

This great gift from the trio that leads the Argentinian rankings in the ATP doesn’t have many secrets: work and effort to grow not only on but also off the court.

“There have been a lot of very positive changes in the last year, not only in tennis, but also as a person. Game-wise, much more aggressive, more solid in terms of intensity that this very high level requires. But I have also matured “A lot in time. Time to play and get on the field, but also off. And in the process, I started to believe in myself more and more, which is what you have to do to play at this level,” Etcheverry analyzed.

“Many new things and many experiences have happened in recent years. Things learned and also mistakes. If I look back it makes me happy to see that every year I finished better than the previous one. For me it is important to be able to improve a little in every aspect and in person, because beyond the athlete, the ranking, what matters is giving your best. And from that moment it all becomes an anecdote”, commented Báez, who also had a great time in Melbourne.

The native of Buenos Aires, 25th in the ATP, defeated JJ Wolf Already Daniele Galan and was subsequently eliminated by an intractable Jannik Sinnerwho ended up lifting the trophy.

Installed in the top 30, confident in their abilities and with very balanced levels, Cerúndolo, Báez and Etcheverry have been involved in a race in recent weeks to conquer the two singles, which will open the duel against Kazakhstan this Saturday. And Coria had a “big problem,” as he likes to say, picking the two winners.

“All three are fit, they want to play and they feel good. And all three clicked for the better once they hit the clays. Anyone could be the No. 1 singles player,” said the captain, who did not wanted to name names publicly before this Friday’s draw. “We waited today (this Thursday) to decide. And telling the boys who won’t play is the moment I like least.”

The order of play

This Friday the mystery of who the two players will be who will compete in Saturday’s singles will be revealed. It will be shortly before the draw, which will determine the order of play for the first day and which will take place at 11 am at the Municipal Palace of Rosario.

Once the appointment of the captains has been confirmed, chance will decide whether the first point, on Saturday at 11am, will be played by the number 1 or number 2 of Argentina against the number 2 or number 1 of Kazakhstan, respectively. On Sunday, again from 11:00, the doubles will be played and then the challenge between the top rackets of each nation. And if necessary, the cross between the singles 2. All matches will be televised by TyC Sports.