IT has seemed a world away since Spain lifted the 2019 Davis Cup. While the 2020 edition was ultimately cancelled and had to be postponed until 2021, it gives tennis fans extra time to work out what teams might look like when it recommences.
Draft Central will take a look at various nations over the break and see what the team might look like. Today’s team is the United States of America (USA) who have decisions to make not only in the singles, but the doubles too with their legendary doubles pairing retiring this year.
TEAM:
#25 John Isner
#29 Taylor Fritz
#39 Tommy Paul
#14D Rajeev Ram
The United States have a real tough choice on their hands when it comes to picking a Davis Cup team. They have a lot of solid players – being such a huge nation that will always be the case – but they do not have a locked and loaded combination that will secure them easy wins. In fact, the issue with American tennis at the moment, is the fact that they do not have one player you could back 100 per cent in a match against a Top 30 player.
John Isner would ensure he made the team, and given he could play doubles with his serve, he is a logical choice to be included. At 35-years-old, captain Mardy Fish should be looking to other options, as he did in their last clash which saw Tommy Paul blooded during the sweep of Uzbekistan, as well as Reilly Opelka and Taylor Fritz included. The Americans cannot afford to have both Isner and Opelka playing as they are the same type of player – big server – just 12 years apart.
Instead, you pick one of Isner or Opelka, and then allow Fritz – who has the talent but needs to get moving when it comes to more consistency – to take over the main singles role. Personally, Paul should be given the chance to gain consistency at international level, and at 23-years-old – the same age as Fritz and Opelka – the United States could really rebuild.
The big issue is the retirements of Bob and Mike Bryan, who have been the USA’s doubles pairing for more than two decades. With the 42-year-old twins departing, it might be worth bringing in the top ranked American in 36-year-old Rajeev Ram who is 14th in the world for doubles. He could play with any of the American players, but perhaps Opelka if he comes in for Isner, allowing Fritz and Paul to take the singles. If Jack Sock is fit, then perhaps Sock could be a wildcard inclusion as a former Top 10 player.
Picture: ATP Tour
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