Indian tennis stars 'going to be strong' in Davis Cup, says Paul Haarhuis

Bengaluru: The Indian team was going through its drills and honing skills for the second day when team Netherlands stepped foot for the first time here at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium on Tuesday. Even as his Indian counterpart Rohit Rajpal was busy giving instructions to his wards on court, Dutchman Paul Haarhuis, with both hands on his hips, took a good look at the venue from the stands where painters, carpenters and other workers were busy providing finishing touches for the Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st round encounter between India and the Netherlands this weekend. 

“Well, so far the flight was good, the hotel is very nice, and the courts look beautiful. So today we’re going to have our first practice,” Haarhuis said with a smile, even as his eyes remained fixed on the Indian players sweating it out. 

“It’s an important match for both teams. Everybody wants to be in the next round in September, in the main draw, in the world group. The Indians have played well to come here, and they’re going to be strong (opponents) for our team. So I’m expecting a very tough match,” offered the 59-year-old, who was a former world No. 1 doubles player with six Grand Slam titles to his name. 

While the visitors’ last outing in September ended in a 1-3 loss to Argentina in September 2025, the home side, on the other hand, stunned ninth-seeded Switzerland 3-1 in a World Group I tie to make it to the Qualifiers here. Led by Sumit Nagal and Dhakshineswar Suresh, India secured a win against a European side in Europe for the first time since 1993.         

Though the travelling Dutch will be wary of this fact, the 2024 runners-up and the current sixth-ranked Davis Cup team are confident of getting the job done despite their top two players -- Tallon Griekspoor (world No. 29) and Botic van de Zandschulp (67) -- missing in the squad.

“The ATP 500 scheduled next week back home in Rotterdam is obviously the main reason for them not to be here. A long schedule follows after this, so they decided not to play this one. They are individual players. We have no contract with them that you have to play. So it’s 100% their call. Of course, I want my best players to play for the national team. But tennis is an individual sport, and they play on a demanding Tour. If they decide not to play, they don’t decide to play. 

“But see, Jesper (de Jong ranked 88) said, ‘listen no matter what, I’m playing Davis Cup in India’. So that’s good and he is ready. He has got a main draw wildcard for Rotterdam, so he flies back to Amsterdam Sunday midnight, has a good two days to prepare before playing his first round there. So, no problem,” Haarhuis remarked.   

While all eyes will be on 25-year-old Jong, who spearheads the Dutch campaign, another youngster, Guy den Ouden (23 years, WR 162), will be the second singles player. Doubles specialists David Pel and Sander Arends, ranked 29 and 40 respectively, are set to pair up on the same side of the court. 

Landing in the country a good four days before the start of the two-day contest on February 7, Haarhuis said it gives his team enough time to get used to the altitude, bounce and speed. 

“Yes, focus is on our own strengths,” he asserted while continuing to keep a close watch on the Indians on court.

Highlights - Nagal back on court
A day after the Indian camp fretted about Sumit Nagal’s fitness, the top-ranked Indian took to the courts here at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium for a training session.
Monitoring a hip strain Nagal sustained in Japan last month, captain Rohit Rajpal on Tuesday said that the physios were at work to get the 28-year-old match-ready by Saturday.