36-year-old Radek Stefanek has been an instrumental character in the Czech Republic Davis Cup team. He played in the Davis Cup final in 2012 and 2013 where the Czech Republic claim back-to-back titles. The world number 145 described his Davis Cup triumph as the greatest moment of his career.
“The two Davis Cup wins (2012 and 2013) have been the highlight of my career so far. In Prague, I played the fifth match when the score was 2-2. It is something you dream of as a kid”
Stepanek has played in 40 Davis Cup matches since 2003 and he is full of confidence ahead of his teams away tie against India in their group 1 play-off. The Czech team will be without their number 1 Tomas Berdych. The world number 5 decided against travelling due to his schedule. Despite the absence of their star player, Stepanek told the Indian media that Berdych’s absence does not bother him.
“It was Tomas’ decision (to miss the tie). We always play with the team we have, trying to do our best. We have won matches without him. We have that experience and it does not bother us. Our mission is to win 3 points. But when you miss a top-10 player, it is a big miss”.
Stepanek will also face the prospect of playing against Leander Paes, a player who he has claimed two Grand Slam titles with (Australian Open 2012 and US Open 2013). Describing his relationship with the Indian tennis great, Stepanek called them ‘brothers from another mothers’ and facing him will be a challenge.
“Facing him as an opponent will be funny. As a player, he is now picking and choosing what he wants to play… so facing him will be a challenge that I am looking forward to”.
The Czech Republic will play India at the R.K. Khanna Tennis Stadium in New Delhi. Joining Stepanek will be Jiri Vesely, Lukas Rosol and Adam Pavlasek.
