World No 6 Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic, who is the top seed at next month’s Chennai Open, tells Namita Handa that winning the Davis Cup title by beating Spain in the final is one of the high points of his career so far.
World No 6 Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic, who is the top seed at next month’s Chennai Open, tells Namita Handa that winning the Davis Cup title by beating Spain in the final is one of the high points of his career so far.
The Czech Republic won their second-ever Davis Cup title. Could you relive the moment?
It felt great because I really like to play team events for my country. We worked really hard for that moment. It is one of the high points of my career. Moreover, we are the only country to win Hopman Cup, Fed Cup and Davis Cup in one year, so it becomes even more special!
How different is the Davis Cup success compared to individual accomplishments on the ATP tour?
It has been an amazing year for me. It was a dream for me, the team and country winning the Davis Cup and we managed to achieve it. I am living my dream!
You’re only the second player after David Nalbandian to beat Roger Federer several times in Grand Slam events before the semifinal stage. You must be proud of that record...
It is always special to play against Roger. He is a legend and my game works well against his style. It’s probably that, with my game, I’m able to trouble him a bit. There is something in my style that he doesn’t like. I think that works well for me.
What kind of changes did you make to your technique the previous season?
My only strategy was to play consistently throughout the year. I was able to do so for a major part of the season, except for the bad form I had during the summer.
Have you set yourself any particular target for the coming season?
My career is moving in a good direction. I have managed to achieve the targets I set for myself. But I want to improve further in the next few years and move up in the rankings.
What’s your opinion about the Aircel Chennai Open?
Every place has something special and Chennai is not an exception. The tournament is very well conducted and I am glad to be back here.
What do you expect from the tournament this time?
The last time I played in the Chennai Open (he reached the semifinals in 2011), I had a good start to the season. I hope to do the same this year, or even better!
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}