In a surprise move, Roger Federer has decided to play Davis Cup this weekend. The announcement came earlier today via the Davis Cup twitter account.
BREAKING! @rogerfederer will play in the first round of #DavisCup this weekend in Switzerland's tie against Serbia!
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) January 29, 2014
Federer, who hasn’t played in Davis Cup since September 2012 and has only played once in the first round since 2002, will join newly-minted Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka for Switzerland’s first round away tie against Serbia in Novi Sad on indoor hardcourts.
With Wawrinka now ranked No. 3, is the 32-year-old Federer finally targeting a Davis Cup title, one of the few missing trophies from his mantle? Or is he playing to maintain his Olympic eligibility?
Serbia will be without Novak Djokovic, Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki so the Swiss will be heavily favored, although Djokovic, per the Serbian captain, could change his mind and play.
In the quarterfinals they’d again be a big favorite against either Belgium or the Kazakhs.
The semis, however, would be a much tougher test. Post-US Open Switzerland would likely have to travel to the USA, Great Britain or make the long flight to Argentina. Argentina on the clay would be problematic especially if Juan Martin del Potro is healthy, but the USA and Great Britain are very winnable if Federer and Wawrinka do play.
Both of Federer’s main rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal won Davis Cup titles.
Look who I found in Novi Sad … @rogerfederer and Captain Severino! pic.twitter.com/nsq9IQYHiD
— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) January 29, 2014
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