Davis Cup Moments - Seville, Spain

Andy is a very passionate member of the US Davis Cup team and with 15-6 has an outstanding win-loss record. One of Andy’s most hard fought battles came in the Davis Cup Final in Seville against Spain last year. In reaching the final Andy had not dropped a set in all his six rubbers for the team, but the US did face an uphill battle against the 2000 Champions. The Final was played on clay in front of 26,000 spectators - and the Spanish supporters are some of the most vocal throughout the world. Although the US was unsuccessful in their bid to win the title, the team put up a fantastic fight.

Andy took on two French Open champions who are arguably two of the best clay court players in the world. Andy is not known for his clay court expertise, but in the final he lifted himself to play two outstanding matches and in both had opportunities to take the point. He was of course not only battling the might of Nadal and Moya, but also the ferocious support of a very partisan crowd. Andy admitted that the experience was like no other. “You look up, and there are people for as far as you can see, just going nuts and cheering and stuff. I mean, it’s one thing to sit on the sideline, but it’s another thing to kind of feel it and be a part of it. This weekend was unlike anything I’ve experienced before.”

But it is the crowds who make Davis Cup ties so unique and exciting and they helped make the weekend enjoyable and exciting for all. The US also had a contingent of supporters led by the animated Netheads. They certainly helped inspire Andy.

US Captain, Patrick McEnroe was certainly proud of Andy’s performances through the weekend After the Nadal match he commented, “I’m extremely proud of the way Andy played, the way he competed, which he always does. But more importantly, the tactics that he used and the improvement that he showed in playing that style. I’m extremely proud of what he was able to do today. It was a hell of a match.”

Andy gave it his all that weekend, something which we can expect to see when the US travels to Belgium for another tie which will be played on clay. He knew he couldn’t have done anymore to help out his team in December, “I’ll kick myself a little bit, but I have nothing to be ashamed of. I’m obviously upset with myself that I couldn’t get a win, like you said. But I’m not going to walk out of here with my head down, that’s for sure. I gave it my all. If there’s one thing I can be proud of this weekend, it’s that.”

Check back to Ar.com for more of Andy’s Davis Cup moments.