Nicolas Mahut on the Davis Cup: “A well-liked fiasco”

“What conclusions can we draw from this week in Hamburg?
It has been actually unhappy since 2019. It would not entice anybody. So it did not maintain any large surprises. It was a preferred fiasco. There are many issues to evaluate, together with the worth of tickets. Round 80 euros is approach an excessive amount of… I do not know who made that call. Even in opposition to Germany, it was not half full. Anyway, it at all times comes again to the identical factor… And I do not actually perceive Hamburg’s candidacy. It is the one indoor competitors the place you examine the climate earlier than going to play. If the climate is good, there could also be traces of shadow on the court docket. If it rains so much, you not hear the ball. With the wind, the circumstances are heavier… I am fairly stunned that this brief was chosen, with out wanting to cover behind excuses.

And on the format?
I already choose hens of 4 to hens of three. However what can be laborious is to play two video games in a row on this format, nervously and bodily. On the circuit, we all know find out how to chain matches. However within the Davis Cup, with the adrenaline and the impulse that you just go away there, it isn’t the identical fatigue. The Germans, who obtain, profit from a day of relaxation between every assembly. Not all groups play beneath the identical circumstances. It isn’t honest.

Ought to we work much more on the double, which is crucially vital in this sort of three-match format?
The double is much more decisive, sure, and now we have seen that there are superb groups in every single place. They play virtually all yr spherical, both collectively or with gamers who carry out all yr spherical within the self-discipline. And that scores large factors. We had an absence of success in opposition to the Germans, with a primordial break level that comes out a centimeter, particularly. We had tried to seek out tournaments within the yr with Arthur (Rinderknech) nevertheless it was sophisticated. We had an excellent match in opposition to the Germans, actually at an excellent degree. With regard to double handed aid, this can be a query that the captain should ask himself. Me, I’ve a sophisticated season, I attempt to go till 2024. Will I get there? And if I’m not environment friendly, it’ll certainly be obligatory to think about an answer.

What’s the temper within the crew?
Guys wish to strip for the crew, we noticed guys devastated within the locker room as a result of they misplaced. They wish to dwell this journey, even when it isn’t what we skilled. The France crew is vital. »