New Delhi, September 10 (Daily Kiran) : India’s non-playing Davis Cup captain, Rohit Rajpal, believes his team is well-prepared to tackle the challenges posed by South Korea on their home turf. The two teams will clash in the World Group Qualifier Round 2 on September 18 and 19 in Seoul.
In an interview, Rajpal shared his high expectations as a captain. He acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match, noting that the Korean team has the advantage of playing at home. “I am confident that the host team will prepare the court to slow down the pace, which will favor them more than us. It’s the home advantage that makes it tough to defeat the Korean team in Korea,” he said. To counter this, the Indian team plans to adapt quickly to local conditions by arriving early.
India has retained the core players who helped secure a 3-2 victory against the Netherlands in Bengaluru last February, marking their first advancement to the second round of qualifiers since the current competition format began in 2019.
The five-member team traveling to Seoul includes newcomers Sumit Nagal, Southineshwar Suresh, and Manas Dhamne. Doubles specialists Yuki Bhambri and N. Shriram Balaji will take on the doubles responsibilities, while Siddharth Rawat and junior Grand Slam campaigner Arnav Paparkar will serve as reserves.
Rajpal emphasized that Dhamne’s inclusion was a strategic decision for the future. “Manas is young and energetic, and we are trying to ensure minimal changes in the team, as some of the world’s best teams go through transitions,” he explained. He believes that playing under pressure will provide valuable experience for Dhamne, who has shown significant improvement.
Managing player availability amidst a demanding professional calendar can be challenging, but Rajpal praised the commitment of Indian players. “Indians are known to be very emotional about their country. As a captain, it’s my job to keep the team united,” he remarked.
To ease pressure before the crucial match, Rajpal has implemented team meals together. “The idea of arriving early is also to bring everyone together to work as a cohesive unit. We have put in a lot of effort to build this team, and now we are starting to see the benefits,” he added.
Historically, India has performed well in doubles matches. Rajpal noted, “Indians have a good track record in doubles with players like Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Rohan Bopanna. They have shown that you can excel in doubles while also maintaining a successful career in singles.”
Both teams enter the match after impressive victories—India shocked the Dutch team, while South Korea staged a comeback against the 2016 champions, Argentina, winning 3-2 in Busan.
When asked about setting benchmarks for success in Korea, Rajpal stated, “It’s tough to set a benchmark. I have set high standards for myself and the players. If you aim for the top, you may reach close to it. But if you don’t aim high, you won’t go anywhere.”
He continued, “Setting a target helps align your body and mind to achieve it. Sometimes you may fall short, but you can always bounce back. I want to remain realistic, focusing on one match at a time.”
Rajpal advised his players to concentrate on the present, saying, “Think about one match at a time. Don’t worry about the next match or what comes after, as we need to overcome this challenge first.”
The matches will take place at the Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center and are crucial for both teams. The victorious side will advance to the prestigious Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, Italy, in November. India, currently ranked 19th, last faced 16th-ranked South Korea a decade ago in 2016.
India trails 6-5 in head-to-head encounters against South Korea, having secured their spot in this stage dramatically with Suresh’s impressive return against the Netherlands.
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