Now that Argentina have reached the Davis Cup final, the question is - where will it be held?
While David is taking a few well-earned days off, skiing with friends in southern Argentina the debate is in full sway. The Argentine Federation and its president Morea favour Buenos Aires (i.e. the Parque Roca stadium again) whereas team captain Mancini and the players prefer Cordoba (i.e. the Orfeo Superdomo, pictured above). Which would also be David's choice - for obvious reasons. To make matters even more complicated, three other Argentine cities have by now raised their claim (Mar De Plata, San Juan and Salta).
The choice between Parque Roca and Orfeo Superdomo is also the choice between playing the final outdoors or indoors. Many, including myself, believe that an indoor venue (and carpet as surface) would boost Argentina's chances. But the problem with the Orfeo Superdomo is that it doesn't meet the requirements the ITF has set for finals, as it has a seating capacity of around 9.000, 3.000 short of the ITF minimum. However, local Cordoba newspaper "La Voz" reports that ways to increase the number of seats are currently being analyzed.
In my opinion, this decision should be made not by Senor Morea but by Alberto Mancini and the players. And playing the final in Cordoba would definitely be a dream come true for David.
Meanwhile, the first round of the Davis Cup World Group 2009 was pulled in Madrid today. Argentina will play their first tie at home against The Netherlands (March 6-8, 2009). Well, it could definitely be worse. In a possible quarter final, they would face either France or the Czech Republic. - But that's still a long way away...
La Voz article (in Spanish)
Davis Cup 2009 article and full draw
7 comments:
If Argentina plays on clay, it can be assumed that two matches will be lost to Nadal. That would make it very hard for Argentina to win. On the other hand, Chris Bowers at the Davis Cup site sees a win by Delpo over Nadal as "just possible". High praise indeed!
Clearly, for David, Cordoba is the way to go. It wouldn't be just "home" it would be "HOME". Let's hope it happens.
Well, I for one don't see anybody beating Rafa on clay. He only lost a single match on clay this year, in Rome when he was injured. And especially with such an important match, I'd trust Rafa's nerves more than Delpo's, to be honest.
But Argentina also have Ferrer to think of. David is 3-6, Delpo 0-2 for matches against him. Not too good...
And then there's the doubles. With Lopez & Verdasco, Spain have an experienced team. I think the last weekend has shown that David shouldn't be made to play on all three days. True, he has often done it before. But this season, he just doesn't seem fit enough. I think they should choose a doubles team as soon as possible and then have them play as many tournaments as they can until the final.
I believe that indoor carpet would give David at least a chance of beating Rafa & Ferrer. Delpo has also done well indoors before. I just hope that Morea will not "pull a Munoz" here and provoke a player mutiny like there was in Spain when Munoz decided that the semi would be played in Madrid.
This has to be decided by the players. That's all I ask.
According to MTF, Parque Roca has been all but ruled out by now. Instead, the choice will be between Orfeo Superdomo and Luna Park in Buenos Aires, which also doesn't have the required amount of seats.
Good to see that team's wish to play indoors will be honoured. I'm still hoping it'll be Cordoba in the end...
As nice as it would be for David, Cordoba is a little out of the way. Sticking with the capital city makes more sense.
You've changed your mind?
I'm not just for Cordoba because it would be so close to Unquillo that David could probably sleep at home and "commute to work". It's also the fact that they have the exact carpet surface the team wants.
Right now, one Argentine newspaper reports it's going to be the Orfeo and the next says it'll be Luna Park. Apparently, even building a temporary roof for the Parque Roca is still being considered.
The decision is expected to be made public next week...
Buenos Aires is not a personal preference. It's just that I can see why there would be pressure to have the tournament - a Final, after all - in a capital city.
From a Reuters news article on Eurosport.com:
The Buenos Aires city government touted the Luna Park boxing arena as a possible venue, even offering to close key streets in the city centre and make improvements to the stadium which is located in the financial heart of the capital.
"It's viable to close the streets to set up the stands and spaces required by the ITF (International Tennis Federation)," the city government's sports secretary Francisco Irrarazaval told the Clarin newspaper.
The mayors of Mar del Plata and nearby Tandil, Gustavo Pulti and Miguel Lunghi, have joined forces in attempt to bring the tie to their corner of the country.
Tandil is the home of Juan Martin del Potro, who won both his rubbers in the semi-final to help Argentina defeat the Russians.
The pair suggested that Mar del Plata's the Islas Malvinas Stadium, built for the 1995 Pan-American Games, would be the perfect scenario.
Corboda played their trump card when Argentina's number one player David Nalbandian, who was born in nearby Unquillo, backed their campaign.
"Cordoba has big potential, it's an excellent sporting scenario and I would like to play the tie there," he told a news conference.
The Argentina Tennis Association have not ruled out Parque Roca, which is by far the largest of the arenas with a capacity of around 14,000.
But Nalbandian said that it would be handing the tie to Spain on a plate.
"If we want to play on clay and lose the final, then go ahead," he said.
- I'm still with David on this one. :)
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