The German Tennis Federation (DTB) has nominated the team for the start of the Davis Cup against Israel – probably without Alexander Zverev. Team boss Michael Kohlmann nominated Jan-Lennard Struff, Yannick Hanfmann, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz for the duel in Lithuania’s capital Vilnius, where the game will take place due to the tense political situation in Israel.
The fifth place in the team will only be awarded at a later date. World number two Zverev will be “will most likely not be available as his tournament schedule includes the clay court tournaments in South America in February“, announced the DTB on Friday (January 10, 2025). Kohlmann is relying on four players from the team that reached the semi-finals of the Davis Cup in Malaga last year for the first time since 2021.
Kohlmann: “Build on a strong Davis Cup year”
“What sets us apart is that we have been able to rely on the same core of players with a lot of experience for years, who are always ready and able to perform at their best in the DTB uniform. We had a strong team in this constellation last season We had a Davis Cup year that we would like to build on against Israel“said Kohlmann.
By winning against the outsiders, the DTB team would have the chance to qualify for the finals in Bologna in the second qualifying round in September against Japan or Great Britain.
Home game moved from Israel to Lithuania
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced on Wednesday (January 8, 2025) that the Davis Cup match would not take place in Israel due to the tense political situation. Instead, the game will now be played on hard courts in Vilnius on February 1st and 2nd , 1,500 spectators can be accommodated in the multi-purpose hall. The game in the first qualifying round is organized by the ITF.
“From a sporting perspective, this is a good solution for us because we can stay in Europe and don’t have to switch to a different surface at short notice after the Australian Open.”said national coach Michael Kohlmann.