Davis Cup: Can Peru beat Norway this weekend? Lucho Horna, the captain, responds

There is only one day left until the tournament is played. Davis cup In our country. The Peruvian team, led by the first national racket, Juan Pablo Varillashas been preparing for a few weeks to face the Norwegian team in the World Group I series, with a view to the Qualifiers, the phase prior to the Finals of the highest tennis tournament between national teams.

During the press conference held last Wednesday, Lucho Horna, Captain of the Peruvian team and former professional tennis player on the ATP circuit, he highlighted recognizing that the home field, the numbers and the results prior to this series are some of the advantages we have over the European team. He also mentioned that for these reasons we carry an important responsibility to lead the country to victory.

The red and white squad

The presence of Juan Pablo “Juanpi” Varillas –which this year reached its best professional ranking in 60th place on the ATP circuit after the round of 16 at Roland Garros– is, without a doubt, the greatest hope that the team brings us today Peru. “It is impossible to calculate it. For his level of play and commitment to the team. It’s something that I, at least, never saw or felt. On leadership issues towards the team. I see it Juanpi and there are many things that I would have liked to have, with the players and with the technical team”highlights Oven. On that adventure, they accompany him Gonzalo Bueno (407th ATP), Ignacio Buse (652° ATP), and the brothers Pine Gardens, Conner (653° ATP) and Arklon (674° ATP).

Regarding the criteria on which he based his decision to choose the representatives for this series, Oven He commented that it was based on the moment in which the tennis players were as athletes: “Experience comes from one side and youth comes from the other. Today, everyone is already playing on the circuit and I informed the team that I was going to focus my decision based on moments, on how they were at certain moments prior to the call. I always have eight or nine players in mind, but finally I decided on the five that are here. I saw them compete and they were the ones who felt most comfortable competing”. Despite this, this Friday a new draw will be held to define those who will arrive on the court as singles and doubles this Saturday and Sunday.

The key points

Undoubtedly, the absence of Casper Ruud (9th ATP) means a tremendous advantage that must be used intelligently. Faced with this, Anders Haseth, captain of the rival team, mentions that it was something that was seen coming, since the tennis player currently has an extremely tight schedule, full of commitments with other championships. Let us remember that the Norwegian tennis player will be part of the UTS Tour tournament and, later, of Team Europe in the Laver Cup.

Regarding the reduction of Ruud, the Peruvian captain cannot deny that he was somewhat excited to see him on our fields, since that would have allowed the team to measure up against a player of his category; However, he recognizes that this can make the result more favorable and this does not mean that they can let their guard down at any time.

For Oventhe main strength against the European rival is the team’s relationship. “We move a lot as a team, it is very united and even in the most tired moments that means that they can feel the encouragement from the outside to give them that additional physical and mental demand. That has always made the difference in very close series.”

The tennis event

It is expected that the weather conditions will be optimal in the following days because, as is known, the tournament will be played on a clay surface and this drastically influences the speed of the courts, the bounce of the balls and the performance of the players.

The series will be played this Saturday 16 (starting at 2:00 pm) and Sunday, September 17 (starting at 12:00 pm) at the Lawn Tennis Club of Jesús María and there are still some tickets available for sale on Passline.

—