Half the nation sat in front of the television on November 23, 2014, as Switzerland faced France in the decisive Davis Cup final.
Roger Federer himself had it in his hands against Richard Gasquet to achieve one of the greatest triumphs in Swiss tennis. And the maestro delivered - once again. In front of 27,448 spectators in Lille - a new record in tennis - Switzerland won the Davis Cup with Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer.
Almost three years later, everything looks different. From September 15-17, Switzerland will no longer be fighting for victory in the Biel Tennis Arena, but for a place in the World Group. The opponent is no longer France with players such as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gaël Monfils or Richard Gasquet, but Belarus. And the match will no longer be played in the huge Stade Pierre-Mauroy, but at the Swiss Tennis Center in Biel. And most importantly for the fans: Roger Federer is no longer taking part and has already announced his withdrawal. Stan Wawrinka is out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
As is so often the case, this is an opportunity for others. And that's where Henri Laaksonen, an up-and-coming Swiss tennis player, comes into play. The Swiss Finn, who made it into the ATP top 100 this year, is a hot candidate for the Davis Cup team, as is veteran Marco Chiudinelli. Captain Severin Lüthi is expected to announce his squad soon. Whoever it ends up being, the Swiss team will do everything in its power to get back to where it was in November 2014.
DAVIS CUP 2017
15 - 17.09.17, Swiss Tennis Center, Biel
TICKETS
