BELGRADE: Novak Djokovic ranked Serbia’s historic Davis Cup win above his Australian Open crown, and $20 million earnings, as defeated France left Belgrade damning sections of the crowd as “imbeciles”. World number three Djokovic and the unheralded Viktor Troicki swept Serbia to a first Davis Cup title on Sunday, overturning an overnight deficit to beat nine-time winners France 3-2.
“Number one,” said 23-year-old Djokovic, when asked where the title stands amongst his achievements. His confidence was based on seeing his team come back from a 2-1 deficit after Troicki and Nenad Zimonjic had squandered a two sets lead to lose in five sets in Saturday’s doubles to Llodra and Arnaud Clement. “We were trying not to lose our heads, but still you could feel the disappointment after the doubles match because we were so close to winning, and then so much pressure playing in front of our crowd,” said Djokovic.
“This is by far – individually and for the team – the best achievement in our career.” Troicki, the world number 30 and constantly in the shadow of Djokovic, held his nerve after replacing Janko Tipsarevic for the deciding rubber. “I was remembering when I was a child and how I was dreaming one day of playing such an important match for my country,” said the 24-year-old.
While the Serbians celebrated victory by shaving their heads, France captain Guy Forget was tearing a strip off sections of the raucous Belgrade Arena crowd. Forget was furious that some fans shouted out and whistled in an attempt to disrupt Llodra. “We heard whistles when the French team was serving and when the ball was in the air. It was only a small minority but it really is intolerable,” said Forget. “We have to take measures against this kind of thing.
You don’t see it in other Davis Cup meetings, even in South America, where God knows some fans are chauvinistic and very borderline.
