Roger Federer says Swiss ready to make Davis Cup history
Roger Federer will lead Switzerland in their Davis Cup semi-final against Italy on Friday determined to banish the memory of one of the biggest disappointments of his illustrious career.
The 17-times grand slam champion was in the Swiss side 11 years ago that fell to Australia in the semis.
Back then he surrendered a two-set 5-3 lead against Australia's Lleyton Hewitt in Melbourne, leaving the court close to tears after a loss which proved fatal to their chances.
Switzerland have never won the Davis Cup, one of the few significant honours missing from 33-year-old Federer's trophy cabinet.
With Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka (below left)also in the Swiss team, he may never have a better chance.
"As a team, we haven't had much success over the past 50 years, so people in Switzerland still talk about 20 years ago when we made the finals," world number three Federer said after Thursday's draw.
"Hopefully they'll talk about this tie in 20 years, that would be wonderful – this is the dream for us, the players."
Switzerland's tennis team (L to R) Marco Chiudinelli, Roger Federer, captain Severin Luethi, Michael Lammer and Stan Wawrinka. Photo: AFP
"The season that Stan and me have had, I think we are ready for the big occasion," said Federer in an interview on the ITF's website. Federer made his Davis Cup debut against Italy in 1999,
"We are not going to shy away from it, we will embrace it. We have the opportunity to make history." - Reuters
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