Savor the victory
By Tennis Australia President Geoff Pollard.
Less than two months after the great victory in Nice, Australia began its defence of the Davis Cup with a first round Tie against Switzerland in Zurich from 4 - 6 February 2000. If successful, there is the prospect of two or even three home matches. Adelaide has been allocated the potential April second round against Germany or Netherlands and Brisbane the July semi final. If we have a final at home, it will be at Melbourne Park.
During January the Davis Cup trophy toured the Australian events in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne. It did the same last year for the Centenary of Davis Cup, but this time it comes as Champion Nation for the 27th time. Spare a thought for our French colleagues, who last won in 1996, but by the time the Cup went on display at Roland Garros, during the French Open, they had already lost in the first round and were subsequently relegated out of the World Group.
There is much to be said for a World Group of 14 teams whereby the previous year's finalists receive byes in the first round. This recognises the huge player commitment of the previous year, which is double that of most other teams, enables them to enjoy the vittory a little longer and ensures another year in the World Group.
The Nice victory was a fine reward for the captain, coach and team, most of whom had been through the highs and lows of the Davis Cup over recent years. It was also a real team effort, where seven different players (and an army of practice partners) all made significant contributions to the year's success.
Most matches were played away from home, including our first ever victory in a final on European clay and our first away finals win since 1973. Our Player Development programs have long preached the need for our players to master all Grand Slam surfaces and the 1999 victory was achieved on four different surfaces indoor hardcourt (Harare), outdoor hardcourt (Boston grass (Brisbane) and clay (Nice).
One significant difference between the 1999 final and our previous away finals in 1990 (St Petersburg, Florida) and 1993 (Dusseldorf) was the strength of Australian spectator support. In previous finals our supporter base was limited to team, family and friends (50) and officials (10). In Nice we had 1000 of the 10,000 seats available to the public.
Never betore has Tennis Australia purchased and then disposed of its visiting team allocation of 10 per cent of the seats in the stadium, and although outnumbered nine to one by fanatical French supporters, the Australian "Fanatics" did their best to match them. This was appreciated by the players, who rewarded them with on court success.
Time and time again I thought of the immortal words of Shakespeare when Henry V faced similar odds against the French in the battle of Agincourt and won. How appropriate they were on this occasion. Even Henry V's reference to tennis! Newk and I both studied Henry V at school and can still recite those stirring pre-battle speeches.
On behalf of all Australians, the City of Melbourne gave the winning team, all squad members and all former Davis Cup players able to attend, a ticker tape parade and Civic Reception. You probably saw it on Channel Seven.
But you are only as good as your last match. So while our cricket, rugby and other World Champions can wait four years to defend their titles, our Aussie Davis Cup heroes must put it all on the line again in February.
There is no doubt that the Davis Cup is the greatest international team competition in the world conducted on an annual basis. It is back where it belongs in the psyche of Australian players and public.
