Rafter rues Aussie downfall
Sydney, Sept. 21: Australian great Pat Rafter on Tuesday called his country’s Davis Cup defeat “shattering” after Belgium came from behind to condemn the once-mighty tennis nation to another year in the wilderness.
Rafter, tipped as a future Davis Cup captain, said the team would be smarting after coming to the brink of a return to the elite World Group before the visitors snatched the rain-affected play-off 3-2. “They were obviously very excited to have the opportunity of getting back in the World Group, so it meant a lot to them and it’s pretty shattering for them,” Rafter said.
“The Belgians played great tennis at the right time. I reckon you could go through that tie and there would be one or two points that could’ve turned it back in Australia’s favour, so it was a real shame and they will be really hurting,” he said. Current captain John Fitzgerald said the team would learn from the defeat, which came after star player Lleyton Hewitt pulled out injured with Australia leading 2-1. “It (Davis Cup) causes a bit of hair loss, and it’s cruel sometimes. But it is a great challenge and it builds character. This has got to build character for us. We have to learn from it,” he said.
“With a bit of luck we could have won one of those (reverse singles). Just because we lose one tie you can’t say everything is lost,” he added.
Australia will now have to play in the Asia-Oceania group for a fourth consecutive year, despite a proud record of 28 Davis Cup wins — second only to the United States. Hewitt won a singles match and the doubles with Paul Hanley before a hand injury, but Peter Luczak and Carsten Ball lost out.
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