William Coria made his debut as captain of the Argentine tennis team in a 4-0 victory over the Czech Republic in March for the Davis Cup 2022. More than six months later, he will face a new challenge at the helm of the blue-white team. A tougher challenge than that series that was played on the brick dust of the Tennis on the grass of Buenos Aires; but with a sweeter prize. Because from this Tuesday Argentina will play in Bologna the Group stage of the finalswith the aim of returning to the top eight countries of the competition.

It will be Rosario’s first experience as a captain away from home. And also the first with the new format, in which they will play in the same venue against three rivals –Sweden, Italy Y Croatia– in duels spread over five days of competition. It’s all new to him. Wizardbut he is ready for the challenge.

“These six months have been long, I haven’t missed them anymore. I canceled the days for a long time to make it time to travel. But now that I look back, it seems that the series we played Buenos Aires in was only a month ago. “, count the hours before leaving for Bologna.

“We worked constantly, always in contact with my coaching staff and watching many games. The truth is that we have over-studied and analyzed everything. The players are also always willing to stay in the team, there is a lot of communication”, a lot of respect. and trust. let’s see how the boys feel and adapt to the surface and the balls and there we will finish defining what we lack. We are very eager, very strong, with great enthusiasm, “he added.

-Do you like this new format?

I will know now. I think it’s not an easy format because each set is worth one point. We have to start very concentrated, super heated, because it’s a short three-set game. Try to get the guys to get rid of those nerves that are always there as soon as possible. I’m anxious, of course, because I have a lot of fun and live it with a lot of passion. We are looking for the quarter-finals, which are important for us, as a team, and for the AAT, for all the money that can enter and that will be donated one hundred percent to the development area. So we will do everything possible to bring Argentina where it deserves to be.

– Of the three rivals in the group, is there one that worries you more than another?

I think the rivals have gotten a lot stronger in the last few months. Against Sweden we are favorites, I take responsibility for that. It will be essential to start winning them 3-0 and if it is without losing a set, even better. So we will go to sleep happily and we will face differently this tough challenge that we will face against Italy in the second game. But this is the Davis Cup and everything I say now can change one way or another when we start playing. As much as the Swedes don’t have a very good ranking or are having fun, perhaps, with no pressure or nothing to lose, they play their best tennis. And we get nervous, and the doubts begin … That’s why we have to go out and play that series as if we weren’t candidates.

The rivals have strengthened, as Coria said. Mostly Italy Y Croatia. The place comes with Sinner Jannik Y Matteo Berretti in great moments and with the duo Fognini Bolelli as a guarantee in the double. And the Croats, with Borna Coric inspired, after his coronation a few weeks ago at the Cincinnati Masters 1000. Although Argentina also has many players at very good levels. And this made the captain’s job more difficult in choosing the five called up for these series: the singles Diego Schwartzmann (16th in the world), Francesco Cerundolo (27 °) and Sebastian Baez (37 °) and doubles Horace Zeballo (9th in double) e Massimo Gonzalez (49 °). although the Wizard does not complain.

“I am happy for this quilombito I have. Thank God, it is becoming more and more complicated because everyone’s level is very uniform”, he assured. “A Molteni (Andrés, 39th in the doubles standings) had to be excluded and could easily be in the team for the great year he is experiencing. Same with Thomas Etcheverry Y Pedro Cachinwho played a great tournament in US Open and did not touch it. O my brother (Federico Coria) also. If he beat alcaraz (in the second round in New York) would have given me a big problem (laughs) … It’s not easy to choose who is there and who is not, but the important thing is to be clear with all the players, that there is a good communication and that they know that the decisions they make are always thinking about the good of the team “, commented the former world number three and finalist of Roland Garros 2004.

“Another challenge is to give the team many weeks in advance. It’s complicated, because it would be very difficult to have to call up a player and then tell him. ‘I lowered you for another because he had a better level’. Emotionally it would be very difficult. So we have to be careful how they come, how they feel, think about the surface we will play on … We have to take many things into account and take risks. Actually, don’t gamble, make decisions. Why is not choosing at random. It’s seeing all those things I’ve mentioned, deciding and being convinced of what you’ve decided, “he added.

In this process of forming the team, the sub-captain plays an important role. Martin Garcia Y Leonard Mayer, Technical assistant. “They give me a lot. Six eyes is always better than two or four. The guys respect Leo and Tero a lot. They handle the double part, because they understand and know more about that discipline than I do. And we empower each other to give our opinion. and decide together for the good of the team, “said Coria.

“Leo is also a Davis Cup champion,” added the captain, recalling that the Corrientes man was part of the team that in 2016 won the first – and so far – only one. Silver salad bowl of our country. And, amidst laughter, he admitted: “I told him to take the cup so we put it aside when we play against Croatia (rival in the final of that edition), to veneer it”.

– You talk a lot about making decisions. Being such a River fan, did you ask Marcelo Gallardo for advice on this topic?

I couldn’t be together with the Doll. I could have visited him these days, but important games are coming up for him and his team, with so many things at stake, and I don’t like to disturb them. But I have a great relationship, great dialogue, and we’ve already talked once. He is a complete idol. With everything that has been shown over the years on how to form a team and strengthen it, he could give me the tools to learn as a person and as a professional. And not only him, but also other coaches from other sports. It is important to listen to how they manage their teams and try to add opinions and advice to be an even better manager, because I am just starting out and I still have a lot of things to improve.

The appointment of group A

Tuesday 13. Argentina-Sweden

Wednesday 14. Croatia-Italy

Thursday 15. Croatia-Sweden

Friday 16. Argentina-Italy

Saturday 17. Argentina-Croatia

Sunday 18. Italy-Sweden

* All series will start at 10 in our country.

The other Davis Cup groups

Group B, in Valencia: Spain, South Korea, Serbia and Canada.

Group C, in Hamburg: France, Germany, Australia and Belgium.

Group D, in Glasgow: United States, Great Britain, Kazakhstan and the Netherlands.

* The top two in each group will advance to the playoffs to be played in Malaga in November.