Nothing can be taken for granted. We are underdogs but my boys will not be intimidated. I feel we have a better chance, . I think my boys are experienced enough that when Davis Cup comes into play ranking is not really a factor.
They have all played at the highest level now, both Ramkumar Ramanathan and Prajnesh Gunneswaran have played Grand Slams and Tour events. I think they actually truly believe that they are capable of scoring a win if they play well.
Prajnesh qualified for his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open so hes on an all-time high, confidence-wise. Hes had an amazing breakthrough year last year. On these courts, Ramkumar is going to be super dangerous.
We all saw what he did in Newport last year when he made the final and should have won the title. Its definitely an advantage to have a quality left-hander like Prajnesh on your team. Two years ago when we brought him in, there was a strategic reason for that.
It wasnt because at that time he was ranked 350, but we wanted a lefty and it worked for us. Italy has two guys in the top-50, so I dont think the equation changes for us because we dont have one guy in the top-100.
Better or worse, I dont know if the Davis Cup changes are better for India. When youre trying to upset a team like Italy, obviously beating them in two sets versus three sets is easier asked for me, for my boys.
Although it will not be easy just because we have chosen grass, if it was that simple, then the Italians wouldnt have shown up. They would have stayed back at home In general sports around the world is trying to get shorter for TV.
In the Australian Open, theres a super tiebreaker in the mens singles now, Wimbledon is changing. They would have stayed back at home. Personally, Im very excited. I made my debut in Calcutta. I played a lot of ties here.
That time grass was the choice. Theres a lot of tradition of tennis here.
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