Radek Stepanek is among those tennis players who rediscovered themselves through Davis Cup. Famous for his antics on court which include pulling up funny faces between points, celebratory skips and hops and expansive hand gestures, the Czech has evolved from being the controversial figure to a tennis hero for his country.
The 36-year-old has played a pivotal role during Czech Republic’s title wins in 2012 and 2013 and runner-up finish in 2009. The top seeds hold the distinction of never dropping out of the World Group since 2006 and would be looking to maintain their record when they take on underdogs India in the World Group play-off tie from Friday.
On a sweltering Monday, Stepanek led the Czech side for practice at the RK Khanna tennis stadium after arriving on the wee hours. Within minutes they got the taste of hot and humid conditions. By the time he was finished he was dripping with sweat, the court where he practiced bearing a big wet patch. He, though, would not mind a fig.
“When I came back to the team in 2007, we said let’s put Davis Cup in the first line and try to win the Cup because our country won only once in 1980. If we have to achieve something, we always have to sacrifice somewhere,” he shrugged.
The Czechs have come without their top player Tomas Berdych but Stepanek believed his absence won’t undermine their chances. “We already won a few matches this season without him. We have that experience. Our mission is to win three points. India will be a strong opponent, they are playing at home, in their conditions, crowd supporting them. They obviously will like to show their best.”
Stepanek, a former top 10 player who now concentrates only on doubles, had struck a successful partnership with India’s doubles icon Leander Paes. The two had won 2012 Australian Open and 2013 US Open. “He (Paes) is half Czech because half of his Grand Slams he has won with Czech guys,” Stepanek said cheekily referring to Indian’s Grand Slam titles with other two Czechs Martin Damm (2006 US Open) and Lukas Dlouhy (2007 French Open and 2009 US Open). He continued, “It would be interesting to see him on the other side of the court. He has a great partner here as well in Rohan (Bopanna). We have couple of options there but India would be the favourite in the doubles tie.”
Stepanek counts the Davis Cup triumphs as the best moments of his career. He particularly remembers winning the title in 2012 final against Spain at home in Prague, where he won the fifth rubber. “I had been dreaming about it since I was a kid. I had real dreams about it and finally holding the trophy in front of my family, fans, my coaches, to bring it back home was such an amazing feeling which even Grand Slam doesn't beat. To be the part of Davis Cup is such an honour, there is no better feeling,” he said.
The 36-year-old has played a pivotal role during Czech Republic’s title wins in 2012 and 2013 and runner-up finish in 2009. The top seeds hold the distinction of never dropping out of the World Group since 2006 and would be looking to maintain their record when they take on underdogs India in the World Group play-off tie from Friday.
On a sweltering Monday, Stepanek led the Czech side for practice at the RK Khanna tennis stadium after arriving on the wee hours. Within minutes they got the taste of hot and humid conditions. By the time he was finished he was dripping with sweat, the court where he practiced bearing a big wet patch. He, though, would not mind a fig.
“When I came back to the team in 2007, we said let’s put Davis Cup in the first line and try to win the Cup because our country won only once in 1980. If we have to achieve something, we always have to sacrifice somewhere,” he shrugged.
The Czechs have come without their top player Tomas Berdych but Stepanek believed his absence won’t undermine their chances. “We already won a few matches this season without him. We have that experience. Our mission is to win three points. India will be a strong opponent, they are playing at home, in their conditions, crowd supporting them. They obviously will like to show their best.”
Stepanek, a former top 10 player who now concentrates only on doubles, had struck a successful partnership with India’s doubles icon Leander Paes. The two had won 2012 Australian Open and 2013 US Open. “He (Paes) is half Czech because half of his Grand Slams he has won with Czech guys,” Stepanek said cheekily referring to Indian’s Grand Slam titles with other two Czechs Martin Damm (2006 US Open) and Lukas Dlouhy (2007 French Open and 2009 US Open). He continued, “It would be interesting to see him on the other side of the court. He has a great partner here as well in Rohan (Bopanna). We have couple of options there but India would be the favourite in the doubles tie.”
Stepanek counts the Davis Cup triumphs as the best moments of his career. He particularly remembers winning the title in 2012 final against Spain at home in Prague, where he won the fifth rubber. “I had been dreaming about it since I was a kid. I had real dreams about it and finally holding the trophy in front of my family, fans, my coaches, to bring it back home was such an amazing feeling which even Grand Slam doesn't beat. To be the part of Davis Cup is such an honour, there is no better feeling,” he said.