MELBOURNE – Serbia will travel to Chile without its strongest team for the Davis Cup, and that worries Novak Djokovic.
“When you get that call-up, it should be sacred. What we ask from the younger players is to have pride in playing for the national team. Viktor and I have talked about it – countless times we risked our careers for Serbia, we got injured because of it,” the former world No. 1 told Serbian media in Melbourne, including CLAY.
“Times have changed a bit, but I hope the guys will feel it. It’s very important and it has to be nurtured,” he added.
The Olympic champion will not play the qualifers tie in Santiago, scheduled for February 6 and 7: “I’m not always with them, I can’t control things, but it was definitely different when we were together (with Troicki), that golden generation. Nothing was questioned – you go and you play. I understand everything, but the national team is always there, and in Chile it will be very difficult, extremely difficult. Even with our strongest lineup, we would have problems.”
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Djokovic, who secured his place in the Australian Open quarter-finals after Jakub Mensik’s withdrawal, left open the possibility of joining the team later in the competition: “If, by some miracle, we get through, I’ll try to be available for the next round.”
It remains uncertain in which composition Serbia will travel to Chile. At the moment, the only confirmed players are Dušan Lajović, as well as brothers Matej and Ivan Sabanov in doubles.
Speaking to CLAY and a group of Serbian reporters in Melbourne, Laslo Djere said he is currently far from deciding to play in Chile against the Chilean team of Cristian Garin, Alejandro Tabilo, Nicolás Jarry, Tomás Barrios and Matías Soto.
“Last year I got injured in Toronto, and from July I played only seven tournaments. If I played Davis Cup, I would lose two tournament weeks. I’m in the qualifying in Buenos Aires, and I would lose that week, and I’m also defending 350 points in that period,” said Serbia’s No. 4.
Despite that, Djokovic expressed hope that the current world No. 92 could still be part of the team.
“I have a certain influence on all of our players. I spoke a bit with Djere. There are many different factors – individual careers, points to defend, whether someone gets into a main draw… For Laci, if he’s healthy, I think he should play. For him, that’s an ideal way to prepare for what comes next. He’s already been to Chile and he won a tournament. That altitude suits him and he already beat one or two players who will play for Chile,” Djokovic said.
The ten-time champion in Melbourne underlined that the draw was not kind to Serbia.
“Maybe the worst draw we could have gotten. Playing against them with their home crowd, their conditions, is a very tough task. I believe in the guys. Duci will be there, and that’s important, not just from a playing standpoint. It’s important morally for the younger players. The culture of the national team matters, and Viktor knows that very well.”
Despite calling for greater commitment, Djokovic showed understanding for his compatriots’ individual situations.
Although Hamad Medjedovic has said that indoor events in Europe in February are his favourite part of the season, he has not yet made a final decision about travelling to South America.
“Hamad, I don’t know what he’s playing or not playing, I don’t know his schedule. I know Miša (Miomir Kecmanovic) is going to a different surface and has a different schedule. I don’t want to put anyone in an uncomfortable position or apply pressure. Of course I’d like them to play, but if anyone understands them, it’s me,” Djokovic concluded.
