Namibia brace for tough Davis Cup clash with Estonia
Namibia’s national men’s tennis team has expressed confidence as it braces to face what promises to be a demanding Davis Cup World Group Two tie against Estonia this weekend.
The event’s opening clash for the year will see the premier annual international team event in men’s tennis, often called the “World Cup of Tennis,” return to Windhoek after its historic debut last year.
It will be held at Olympia’s Central Tennis Courts in Windhoek over two days, Saturday and Sunday, and will feature singles and doubles matches in a best-of-three format.
The two nations last met in their first encounter 23 years ago in February, when Estonia emerged victorious 3-0, winning both singles rubbers and the doubles rubber of the Euro/African Group Three tie.
Namibia was then represented by Jean-Pierre Huish, Henrico du Plessis, Jurgens Strydom and Nicky Buys, with Warren Frewer as captain. Meanwhile, Estonia fielded Gert Vilms, Mait Kunnap, Andrei Luzgin and Mihkel Koppel.
Over two decades later, Namibia is represented by a new generation, which has an opportunity to write its own chapter in the Davis Cup against the Northern European side.
Namibia have announced the fielding of two United States-based players, Codie van Schalkwyk and Jean Erasmus, with South African-based Steyn Dippenaar, alongside team captain/coach Gerrie Dippenaar.
The local players completing the team are Ruben Yssel and Nguvi Hinda.
Estonia has announced four players: Mark Lajal, Markus Mölder, Sten Hiiesalu and Johannes Seeman, according to the Davis Cup official website.
The Northern European nation is heading into the encounter as favourites, being ranked nine places ahead of Namibia at 71st on the Davis Cup nations ranking system, last updated in November.
Namibia’s number one unavailable
Coach Dippenaar said Namibia’s approach to the tie against Estonia is grounded in the present, with the long gap since the two nations last met meaning past results have not featured in their preparations.
“It [2003] was a different era with different kinds of players. We are aware they’ve got a very strong team – three of their players are ranked around 1 000 on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP),” he told Sport Wrap yesterday.
Dippenaar further lamented the unavailability of his number one player, Connor van Schalkwyk, who is a student in the United States at Baylor University.
“They feel they can’t release him for the tie because they are playing two of their top rivals in America, and he’s on a scholarship, so it’s very difficult for Connor,” he said.
He further assured that Van Schalkwyk’s heart is with the Namibian team and that he would have preferred to play for his country.
“He told me this is the last time he is not available for Namibia and has told his university he will be available in the future to play because he takes pride in playing for his nation – him and Codie [his brother], and all the other guys,” he said.
Acknowledging the Estonian strength, Coach Dippenaar said they do not see the tie as a mountain ahead of them but a big challenge, and they hope home ground will be an advantage.
“Since I took over as Davis Cup captain five years ago, we’ve always had a mountain to climb in our encounters, and this team responds really well to that.
“We don’t go on the court with a mindset of this is impossible. We go on the court with a mindset of self-belief. We can make it happen, and that’s what I like about the team’s mindset,” he remarked.
Everyone stands a chance to play
Regarding the inclusion of Hinda in the absence of their number-one player, Dippenaar said he has featured in the team in the past.
“He’s a great player. We also feel that we don’t just pick a team full of foreign players. We also want to pick a team that consists of local players.
“Otherwise, it sends out a message that if you play [local tennis] you’ve got no chance to represent Namibia, which is not the case,” he said.
He further noted that the selection follows the players’ level, and those who reach that level qualify to be selected.
“Nguvi has always been a great team player. Funny person, and I get along really well with him. He respects me as a coach. I think it’s a good, well-balanced team that we have,” he said.
Namibia’s last outing at the Davis Cup was last August in Harare, Zimbabwe, when they finished top of the Davis Cup’s Africa Group Three event to be promoted to World Group Two.
They were relegated to Africa Group Three after losing to Hong Kong, China, in their first-ever Davis Cup World Group Two fixture in Windhoek last February.
– [email protected]
