What is in danger?
Plenty! Australia and the Netherlands square off in the opening match of the Davis Cup by Rakuten Final 8 in Malaga. In the semi-finals on Friday, the winners will take on either the 2019 champions Spain or the 2021 runners-up Croatia.
Now that we’re in the Final 8, there aren’t really any more chances, and whomever wins the match between Australia and the Netherlands will be one win away from the Davis Cup championship match and a chance to take home the trophy.
It would mean the world to both countries if they both emerged from the Davis Cup Finals Group Stage with victories in hand. However it is true to say that these teams are competing at distinct Davis Cup championship levels.
Australia is Davis Cup royalty, having won the competition a record 28 times, second only to 32-time champions the United States, despite not making it past the group stage in the most recent competition.
On the other hand, the Netherlands, which has never won the trophy, is seeking to replicate its best Davis Cup performance by reaching the semifinals for just the second time. In 2001, it reached the final four.
Everything put together indicates that there is a lot at stake.
History
Australia and the Netherlands have never faced each other in a Davis Cup match, so neither team will be mentally assisted or hampered as they prepare for what is sure to be an interesting match.
As was already stated, Australia has a lengthy history in the sport, but it is currently competing for its first Davis Cup title since 2003, when it defeated Spain 3-1 in Melbourne.
Some have felt as though their search for awards is never-ending. Australia’s best results in the nearly 20 years since have been semi-final finishes in 2006, 2015, and 2017.
The 2003 Davis Cup victory for Australia featured Lleyton Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, who is the only captain in Malaga to have achieved personal victory. The 41-year-old former world No. 1 is still vying for the holy grail. He played a key role in Australia’s Davis Cup win in 2003 and is the only captain in Malaga with personal championship experience. The 41-year-bucket old’s list still includes finding the holy grail.
Undoubtedly, both nations are in excellent position going into the Final 8. Australia advanced past Belgium and France in the group stage in September before losing to Germany in a matchup of previously qualified nations.
After victories over Canada in the preliminaries in March and advancement to the Group Stage, where Paul Haarhuis’ group defeated Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the Netherlands has a perfect Davis Cup record this year.