Slovaks make history at Davis Cup

Slovak tennis players made history by making it, for the very first time, to the final of the Davis Cup. After defeating Argentina, the favourites to win the title this year, Slovakia faces Croatia in the final, scheduled to take place in Bratislava in December.

Photo: CTK

Five thousand people were chanting the name of Dominik Hrbaty who defeated an angry Guillermo Coria of Argentina to bring a third point for the Slovak team and push it through to the final. At the end of the match a visibly moved Hrbaty took the microphone and addressed the crowd.

"I dedicate this historical victory to you. It belongs to every Slovak. Thank you very much for your support! Now everybody knows that a country named Slovakia exists."

Although Slovakia had managed to defeat the title holder Spain on its way to the semifinals, not so many people gave the team a chance against Argentina. The South Americans sent four players ranked among the world's top 11 to Bratislava. David Nalbandian, Guillermo Coria, Gaston Gaudio and Mariano Puerta looked very strong and confident not only of making it through to the final but even of going on to win the cup. The first match of the tie took them by surprise. Coria's first service fell apart and the Slovak Karol Beck, ranked 40 places below him in the ATP ranking grabbed a three set victory.

Dominik Hrbaty, photo: CTK

"It wasn't an easy match but I won it and that's the most important thing. We have a first point."

The Slovaks hoped to end the day 2-0 but a confident David Nalbandian played fantastic tennis against Dominik Hrbaty who missed numerous opportunities.

"Hrbaty won the first set and even had 5-5 in the second, but suddenly I noticed his serve was not so powerful and precise and I managed to keep my concentration and turn the tables in my favour. I came back and won the match. I hope that my team mates manage to bring the other points and we will reach the final."

Unfortunately for the Argentine team Nalbandian's game slipped in the doubles and despite the efforts of his partner, Mariano Puerta, the Slovaks gained a very precious point on Saturday. By Sunday afternoon there was a strong sense of anticipation in the air. It took two hours for Slovakia to reach the final and the 27 year old Hrbaty, currently ranked 19th in the world showed up at a press conference with his hair shaven. Hrbaty explained what this final means for Slovakia:

Dominik Hrbaty, photo: CTK

"It is the most important sports event that Bratislava has ever hosted. We have proved that someone doesn't need to be number one in the world to manage to win a major competition. It's important to have a good team spirit. I hope other athletes in Slovakia will finally understand this fact and our performance will motivate them to achieve better results. This final will be broadcast around the globe so the whole world will hear that a country named Slovakia exists."

The Slovak victory came 25 years after the Czechoslovak team with the legendary Ivan Lendl and Tomas Smid managed to win the trophy, beating Italy. And even more important for the history of this region, where Slovakia has always played second fiddle to the Czech Republic, the Slovak team reached the final on the same day that the Czech team was eliminated from the elite World Group of the competition where it has been since 1981.