Bengaluru, February 3 – India is gearing up for the first round of the Davis Cup Qualifiers against the Netherlands, scheduled for February 7-8. The national team, under the leadership of captain Rohit Rajpal, is undergoing intensive training at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium in Bengaluru.
Players Karan Singh and Ritvik Bollipalli started their training sessions on Thursday evening, while Sumit Nagal, Dakshineswar Suresh, and Yuki Bhambri joined the team today as preparations intensify for the crucial home tie.
Currently ranked 33rd in the Davis Cup nations ranking, India faces a strong Dutch side positioned sixth globally and the runners-up in the 2024 Davis Cup final. However, the Indian team draws inspiration from their past triumph in February 1996, when Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi led a remarkable comeback to defeat the Netherlands 3-2 in Jaipur after trailing 1-2.
Captain Rohit Rajpal, who has been at the helm since 2019, expressed confidence in replicating that success against the Dutch team. He stated, “If we play like we did against Switzerland, where all players peaked at the right time, I believe we can win this tie. Since taking charge, we have focused on preparing the team early. Our aim is to gradually reduce the training load, starting each day with two intense sessions and tapering off, ensuring everyone is at their best when it matters most.”
Indian tennis icon Mahesh Bhupathi also extended his support to the team, saying, “I want to wish the team all the best for the Davis Cup tie. I have fond memories of playing against the Dutch, especially our 1996 victory in Jaipur. It shows that anything is possible in the Davis Cup. The team must stay motivated and work hard.”
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