Davis Cup Moments - Charleston

A natural leader both on and off the court, Andy’s commitment to the game is most genuinely displayed in his Davis Cup participation. A week before his play-off against Belgium, we’re brining you Andy’s Davis Cup moments:

The Florida native who is often singled out for his blistering serve and All-American looks came to Charleston South Carolina with only his team and country in mind. In any other tournament, Mardy Fish and the Bryan Brothers would be his competition, but during the week preceding Charleston, Andy made it clear that they are always, above all else, close friends and countrymen. Andy even hosted a getaway at his new bachelor pad in Austin, Texas to encourage team bonding. The group wake-boarded, jumped off cliffs into his back-yard lake, and last but certainly not least, practiced.

The team spirit and dedication was appropriately rewarded with the US’s first birth to the Davis Cup finals since 1997 by defeating Belarus in the semi finals in straight sets - a huge accomplishment for the young squad who then took the celebration to town.

The boys jumped simultaneously, huddled around each other as the deafening chants echoed, “USA, USA, USA” Five hours earlier, the US team started this ritual on the service line at the Family Cup Tennis Center. Now it was to the overwhelming excitement of party-goers at Banana Joes that the team had brought their celebration to the local Charleston hangout.

The fifth rounds of chanting ended with a mass applause when the music started again. Joined by agents, trainers, coaches, girlfriends and a very pleased coach Patrick McEnroe, the group was all smiles. Their excitement was contagious.

The club buzzed with whispers, and the girl’s bathroom brimmed with primping girls of all ages hoping to impress. The boys, however, had impressed enough tennis enthusiasts for one day. In the spirit of Davis Cup, the team was simply enjoying their victory together. Hardly straying from one another, the group made a circle, egging each other to dance in the middle, usually in some ridiculous fashion.

It was clear the team’s flare for originality transcends off the court as they began dancing. Their fancy footwork and stunning coordination displayed in earlier matches was no comparison to their moves on the dance floor. From Mardy Fish’s ‘running man’ to Bob Bryan’s ‘backhand’ the boys even earned the coveted to thumbs up from a laughing Patrick McEnroe. The boys eventually turned the tables on their coaches with a little dance tutorial. Fish helped Coach Kelly Jones find the beat while the Bryans started a salsa line with Coach Phillip Farmer.

Never disappointing a fan, and gracious for Charleston’s overwhelming support, the team took time to meet fans, sign autographs and for some lucky ladies even share a dance. But it was never too long before another rumbling USA chant would start and the team would again huddle with the same camaraderie that earned them a trip to the finals.