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Open Court
A Guide to Davis Cup Tennis; Superfan's Love for the Davis Cup
Aired September 18, 2014 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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PAT CASH, CNN HOST (voice-over): It's the tennis world's biggest team competition, the top players in the world have stepped up in the hopes of
bringing home one of the top prizes in tennis.
France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych, Italy's Fabio Fognini and the player who's won nearly every title there is
to win, Switzerland's Roger Federer.
But this is not a trophy you can win by yourself. You have to win it as a team. We're talking about the Davis Cup.
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CASH (voice-over): Hello and welcome to a special edition of OPEN COURT. I have the privilege to be joined here by "WORLD SPORT's" Amanda
Davies, because this month's show is so busy I've had to enlist some help.
AMANDA DAVIES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Pat, I'm so excited to be here, making my OPEN COURT debut.
What have you got for me?
CASH: Well, I have two great assignments. One's to go to Paris to watch the Czech Republic play France; the other one's to go to Geneva to
watch Switzerland play Italy.
DAVIES: I think I'll take either of them. I don't think I can lose, can I?
(CROSSTALK)
DAVIES: Which is mine?
CASH: Well, take a pick.
DAVIES: That one. Thank you.
Drum roll, please.
Hey. I will take Geneva, because I get to see the World number 3 and 4, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka play up against Fabio Fognini and
(INAUDIBLE) Italy.
CASH: Wow, I get to see the defending champions of Czech Republic by the likes of Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. So it's pretty good
going.
DAVIES: I think we've got some good weekends ahead.
CASH: A bit of travel.
DAVIES: Indeed.
CASH: So we're going to get going.
DAVIES: Enjoy.
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DAVIES: It's day one of the semifinal tie here in Switzerland. And in about half an hour to go until the opening match, the famously fabulous
Swiss supporters are pouring into the venue behind us.
And while Switzerland are very much the favorites heading into this one, it might not be as easy as they expect against Italy.
Over the next half an hour or so, Pat and I will be taking these behind the scenes as Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic and France will
be bidding for a place in the Davis Cup finals.
But before we go any further, let's find out a little bit more about men's tennis' top team competition.
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DAVIES: D is for Davis Cup trophy. It's the prize all the teams are fighting for and it's no small piece of silverware, standing 110 cms tall
and weighing 105 kg.
A is for advantage. In these times, it's both Switzerland and France with the home court advantage. That means that they've been able to choose
both the city and the surface that best suits their players.
V stands for victory, Italy, France and the Czech Republic have all won the Davis Cup before. But Switzerland are looking for title number 1.
I is for international, 122 countries and more than 400 players have taken part in the Davis Cup this year.
S is for schedule. It's the same for every tie, two singles on day one, a doubles on the second day with two more singles on day three.
C is for captain, unusually for tennis, in Davis Cup play, the team captain is allowed to pick all aside and tote his player throughout the
match.
U is for uniforms. In Davis Cup players wear their country's colors for every match.
And P is for patience. Davis Cup fans need to remember that a poor start doesn't necessarily mean a bad finish. It's the best of five
matches. So the first of three victories claim that place in the Davis Cup final.
So that's everything you need to know about the Davis Cup. But if you'd like to watch again, have a look online. It's at cnn.com/opencourt.
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DAVIS (voice-over): Roger Federer won the first match of the tie over Italy's Simon Vallily.
Roger is happy, the crowd are happy and there's Stan Wawrinka takes the court against Fabio Fognini, Federer takes a couple of minutes to speak
to the Swiss media before rushing back to court life.
Stan Wawrinka extended Switzerland's lead, winning eight straight sets. Stan (INAUDIBLE) essentially a tough day today, but the end of day
one, you and the team have got to be pretty happy.
STAN WAWRINKA, SWISS TENNIS PRO: Yes, I think we are really happy to be up to the first date. It's really good for us. I didn't expect much
like that but I'm really pleased with my performance also. I think I played one of my best match in Davis Cup. And yes, it was great. That's
the most fun. It was amazing today.
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CASH (voice-over): (INAUDIBLE) with the first match (INAUDIBLE) to put France 1-0 in the lead. (INAUDIBLE) atmosphere, unbelievable.
Tsonga followed in the footsteps of his fellow country man and took the French to a 2-love lead over the Czech Republic. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
just won the second match of the day here at Roland Garros. He's in doing his press conference. Let's see if I can go in and ask him a question.
Congratulations. You certainly looked very confident today out there.
Was it partly your preparation coming into the match?
Or also the fact that Richard had given you a 1-0 lead?
JO-WILFRIED TSONGA, FRENCH DAVIS CUP PLAYER: I think it's the fact Richard won his match and his straight. He gave me the opportunity to play
relaxed and to be with -- to be on court without pressure.
CASH (voice-over): Well, at the end of day one here in Roland Garros and the French are 2-0 up. Well, the happiest man in France would have to
be the Davis Cup captain, Arnaud Clement.
Mate, what a fantastic day. You must be surprised at how well your players did.
ARNAUD CLEMENT, FRENCH DAVIS CUP CAPTAIN: I was very surprised that, yes, they played great matches both today and the -- Richard played
unbelievable match against (INAUDIBLE) three straight sets. And after (INAUDIBLE) played like a boss and on the court and with a lot of control
(INAUDIBLE).
CASH: Well, I suppose the only problem tomorrow is what do you do for doubles? You have so many good doubles players to play.
CLEMENT: Yes, it's three very good options. I'm going to talk to the players tonight and have them -- the feeling and we'll see what we're going
to do tomorrow.
CASH: Well, fantastic. Good luck tomorrow.
Thanks, make.
CLEMENT: Thanks (INAUDIBLE).
DAVIES (voice-over): Still to come on OPEN COURT, the Davis Cup drama moves to the doubles. Can the Italians and Czechs stage a comeback?
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DAVIES: Welcome back to OPEN COURT. While the Swiss and Italian teams were finishing up their morning practice, I decided to check in and
see how Pat was doing in Paris.
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DAVIES: Morning, Pat; day two in the Davis Cup semifinal doubles on the agenda. We're well and truly gearing up here in Geneva. The players
have been out practicing.
How's it going in Paris?
CASH: That's great. It's another perfect day. The French are very excited. They called yesterday Jean Day after Gasquet's performance. But
they're obviously 2-0 up. But they're very wary of the Czech doubles team, Stepanek and Berdych, who are one of the most successful doubles teams in
Davis Cup history.
So they're optimistic but a little bit worried about the doubles.
DAVIES: Yes, the Swiss are pretty confident here. They're some up yesterday on the front page of the paper here, "Le Matin," saying the Swiss
perfect and simple, doubles to the final. And it's going to be a really tough ask for the Italians, not just because of the players they're going
to be playing but the home support here, Pat, is absolutely incredible. I've never heard anything like it in sports.
I'm going to head back inside and see if I can get a few more tips about how the Italians are going to be approaching today and we'll stop in
with you later.
CASH: All right. We'll check in with you later. And remember to bring me back some chocolate.
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DAVIES (voice-over): One thing that separates the Davis Cup from the other events is the fans and the Swiss are pretty special.
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LILLIAN FREI, SWISS TENNIS FAN (voice-over): We must show that we are Swiss. So that's the reason we started like this.
Every detail has to be perfect.
Sporting events without color is (INAUDIBLE) possible.
I don't know what I can add anymore because it's already full.
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FREI (voice-over): Such a small country and we have such two good players.
We're watching Federer, right, and he was the big hope. And then after this, Wawrinka came up slowly. But he got (INAUDIBLE) to get the
result.
I think what he really wants really badly to win the Davis Cup. And everybody's not able to easy. It's not.
We must win.
DAVIES (voice-over): This is the Davis Cup. We know that we can expect team changes. But I can tell you that just being a rumble of
disquiet around the Palexpo arena here. The Swiss have doubled lineup has been announced. Roger Federer has not seemed selected to play and said
he's been replaced by the World number 161, Marco Chiudinelli. He'll be playing alongside Stan Wawrinka as the (INAUDIBLE) take a 3-0 lead in this
(INAUDIBLE) book their place in the finals.
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DAVIES (voice-over): So a hard court five set doubles match, the Italians you are proving too strong for the Swiss.
Well, the Swiss fans can't get out of here fast enough. The big question, how hotly (ph) will that doubles (INAUDIBLE) can be with Italy's
Simon Vallily and Fabio Fognini coming back from their singles disappointment to be the home pair and a seriously partisan crowd? And
keep the fire light (ph).
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CASH (voice-over): With the Davis Cup final in their sights, the French team were keen to prepare for the next obstacle, one of the Davis
Cup's most successful doubles pairs, Thomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek.
But after yet more stellar play, France was able to upset the defending Davis Cup champions.
After a hard-fought battle, France has won the doubles and the semifinal tie. There's no doubt the heroes are Gasquet and Tsonga. And as
you can see, this means so much to the tennis loving French.
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CASH (voice-over): It was smiles all around the French team. And I talked to the man of the moment shortly after winning his match.
CASH: Richard, earlier in the year, we talked to you about the possibility of France getting to the final in the Davis Cup and now you're
here. You're in the final.
RICHARD GASQUET, FRENCH DAVIS CUP TEAM: Yes, it's very nice. Of course we are the big target at the start of the year and going to the
final and winning in Centre Court at Roland Garros is wonderful for us. Now we can go to the final, maybe we can play against (INAUDIBLE). It
would be incredible for everybody. So of course it's amazing for us to win final.
CASH: What do you think it means for the French people and the French -- and French tennis for you to be challenging for a final?
GASQUET: Yes, and this is huge and France is popular, especially the Davis Cup for French tennis. It's big, you know, the federation is doing a
good job. So of course we are proud to win here in Roland Garros and people were happy. So it's important for us and now we can play maybe in
France for the final so everybody is excited about it.
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CASH (voice-over): Still to come, who will play the French in the Davis Cup final? I'll check in with Amanda after the break.
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DAVIES (voice-over): Welcome back to OPEN COURT. Roger Federer reigns supreme and gave more than 18,000 fans reason to stand and cheer.
The Swiss maestro orchestrated a straight set victory over Italy's Fabio Fognini, winning the third point for Switzerland.
ROGER FEDERER, SWISS DAVIS CUP TEAM (voice-over): It's been a great year for myself personally and also for Stan (ph). I think it's nice that
we're going to have an opportunity to do something very special at the end of the year.
DAVIES (voice-over): As expected, experience prevails and it's Switzerland heading into November's final. The Davis Cup dream lives on.
And looking at my watch, I've still got time to head over to Paris and check in with Pat.
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CASH (voice-over): The crowd here in Roland Garros has been wrapped up in two days with the French defeating the Czech Republic 3-0. The
atmosphere this weekend has been electric. And it's fitting that such a great tie has taken place on this court as the connection between Roland
Garros and the Davis Cup goes back a long way.
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CASH (voice-over): Teamwork, national pride and plenty of noise. The Davis Cup has grown from small beginnings, starting in 1900 as a match
between a Harvard University team and their British rivals.
Soon it was named after American team member Dwight Davis, who bought the original trophy.
And by 1905, the competition was opened to other countries, but one thing in particular have left perhaps the most lasting Davis Cup legacy.
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CASH (voice-over): Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet, Jean Borotra and Rene Lacoste, or the Four Musketeers, each had individual success. But it
was as a Davis Cup team for French that they really excelled.
MICHAEL GUILLARD, FRENCH TENNIS FEDERATION MUSEUM: The Musketeers are four great tennis players. As a Davis Cup team, they were very strong
because they were complementary. They have different styles. But together, it was -- there was something very French, a French touch,
something and they used to win together. It was a real team.
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GUILLARD (voice-over): One 15 (ph) won the Davis Cup, the first one for France. It was a great moment with one problem: in France, we haven't
got any stadium for that kind of tournament, the Davis Cup, final of the Davis Cup. So we have to build a new stadium.
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GUILLARD (voice-over): Today we have a spirit, the spirit of the Musketeers everywhere in the stadium. And I hope that the spirit gives
them the French Davis Cup team too.
CASH (voice-over): With so much Davis Cup history here at Roland Garros, I decided it was time to test the knowledge of two winners of the
competition.
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CASH: Well, guys, thank you very much. We've got two French Davis Cup legends here.
What was it like for you to play for France?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I always thought it was a rare privilege but for my country. We all the flags around you and it's something very special.
And when you have a chance to live this once in your life, you feel very lucky.
GUY FORGET, FRENCH DAVIS CUP WINNER: My dad was tennis coach when he was looking at the TV getting so excited, he knew that's how I grew up with
and I said, ahh, it's one day you like can be part of that magical atmosphere. It's incredible and it's just such a thrill. And you're so
proud of having your France jacket. You walk around in all the alleys of Roland Garros and you're, hey, I'm part of it now.
(LAUGHTER)
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CASH (voice-over): All right, guys, you ready for the questions?
So pick up your bell.
OK. First question: in what year was the first Davis Cup held?
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): More than a century ago, 1898.
CASH (voice-over): It's 1900. So very close and you're right, just over 100 years.
What was the original name of the Davis Cup?
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): It could be this?
CASH (voice-over): It's a little French.
FORGET (voice-over): Hey, that's the French view of the condition (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): It was like international.
CASH (voice-over): International Lawn Tennis Challenge.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): OK.
CASH (voice-over): But it was then named after Dwight Davis --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): That I knew.
CASH (voice-over): -- who bought a trophy for the challenge for $1,000.
Which country has won the most Davis Cup titles?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): This one I'm pretty sure is your country, Pat. I'm pretty sure about it.
FORGET (voice-over): I think the USA. I think the USA --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): The USA?
I would say Australia.
FORGET (voice-over): Australia is second.
CASH: The USA, they've won the competition 32 times followed closely by Australia, who've won 28.
What is the women's equivalent of the Davis Cup?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): The Fed Cup.
CASH (voice-over): The Fed Cup? That's right.
Italy are the current holders and it's their fourth Federation Cup title.
Can you please ring this properly? I'd like for you to ring it.
Let's go to the yes. Otherwise, take -- I'll take a point away from you.
Which tennis player has captured both Davis Cup and Fed Cup for their country?
FORGET: Moi. Me.
(CROSSTALK)
CASH (voice-over): You got the answer.
Who is it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): It's Guy Forget.
CASH: It's him.
FORGET: (INAUDIBLE) did as well. He did as well, you know, the Fed Cup, which you won as well and the Davis Cup. I was walking in his
footprints.
CASH: In 1991, which French doubles team helped seal the Davis Cup for the first time since 1932?
That was (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Guy Forget, Henri Leconte.
CASH: That's right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They won the match and they never lost a double in Davis Cup.
CASH: Is that right? You never lost a --
FORGET: Yes, we only play 11, though, so --
(CROSSTALK)
CASH: That's very good.
The last question, the big question, who will win this year's Davis Cup?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: France.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: France.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hopefully France.
CASH: Thanks very much for joining me. Next time, we'll give you a practice on how to ding the bell properly or we'll just keep trying.
Go ahead.
No.
No, come on.
Yay!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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CASH (voice-over): Hey.
DAVIES (voice-over): Hi.
CASH (voice-over): Welcome to Paris.
DAVIES (voice-over): Thank you.
What a weekend of tennis.
CASH (voice-over): Great action, wasn't it?
DAVIES: Seemed fantastic. And I've got you some presents. You won't believe what you can pick up in Switzerland.
CASH (voice-over): Plastic bag. Just what I've always wanted, a Swiss --
(CROSSTALK)
DAVIES (voice-over): I was looking for a red headband, but I couldn't find one, so I hope the Swiss hat will be OK.
CASH (voice-over): Great, thank you. Thank you very much.
(CROSSTALK)
DAVIES (voice-over): (INAUDIBLE) to Switzerland without a good old --
CASH (voice-over): Aha!
DAVIES (voice-over): -- chocolate.
CASH (voice-over): Oh, well done, well done.
DAVIES (voice-over): And their cowbells were incredible. So there we are.
CASH: We can always do with more cowbell. That's what I say.
DAVIES: Yes, we can.
CASH: Well, for you, well, actually not just for you, but for your little daughter, we have a (INAUDIBLE) --
DAVIES: Aww, she'll love that. Thank you.
CASH: We have a winner's cap, but I like this. Want to keep it.
DAVIES: (INAUDIBLE) fits you, fine.
(LAUGHTER)
CASH: I couldn't get you the real thing (INAUDIBLE).
DAVIES: Oh, brilliant. What a memento of my OPEN COURT experience. Thank you so much. And what a Davis Cup finals to expect.
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CASH (voice-over): It's going to be very exciting. Thanks very much for joining us.
DAVIES (voice-over): It's been a pleasure.
CASH (voice-over): Well, that's all we have for this month's show. We hope you enjoyed it. Until next month, it's au revoir from Paris.
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END
