Although it was a heavyweight match-up for a qualifying round, yesterday still marked a hugely disappointing defeat for the US Davis Cup team at the hands of Czechia.
After all, whilst both teams boasted some of the world’s best singles and doubles players, there still would have been justifiable confidence coming from Bob Bryan that his team could get it done.
Especially given that Ben Shelton rushed from the US Open final to Prague to compete for his country.
In the end, his efforts were in vain, and they lost the tie despite leading 2-1 at one stage.
Both Ben Shelton and Bryan have reacted, offering contrasting reactions to the loss.
US Davis Cup team react after losing to Czechia and failing to qualify for the finals
The US Davis Cup captain spoke first, and he offered a lengthy explanation for why he felt his team lost.
However, he remained upbeat despite the defeat, admitting: “Yeah, we’re obviously disappointed with the result, but super proud of the guys. It was a fun atmosphere. That kind of felt like what Davis Cup should be all about, is atmosphere like that. Loud, but fair.”
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Bryan heralded his doubles team for winning ‘one of the best Davis Cup doubles matches I’ve seen in recent years’, and praised Jakub Mensik and Jiri Lehecka for the levels they showed.
Then, on Shelton, he sympathised: “Monumental effort by Ben to even show up here in Prague after all the tennis he played in New York. But he didn’t make any excuses, and he prepared the best he could.
“Look, it’s 48 hours … He’s never gonna tell you, but 48 hours to change from outdoors to indoors, from this ball to that ball is not easy. And he really did a great job, so I was super proud of him.”
Bryan concluded with what seemed like a veiled dig at the competition, adding: “I think their team and our team are two of the best four teams in the whole world, and we shouldn’t be
playing in the Round of 16. I think everyone here knows that, by the strength of our nations. Even Tomas Machac, he wasn’t here, and he’s a terrific player as well.
“So maybe they can get the seedings right next year and we can play in Bologna, where this match belongs.”
Shelton’s stint in the press was brief; he was simply asked whether it was worse to lose this tie or the US Open men’s final.
He replied: “I don’t know, dude.”
Shelton lost both his Davis Cup singles matches this week.
When was the last time the US won the Davis Cup?
Despite all their quality and incredible depth, the likes of which few other countries can compete with, it has been some time since the US tasted Davis Cup success.
Right now, there are three American men in the ATP top ten, and a total of six inside the top 20. They should be making it to the final eight at least.
To find when they last won the entire event, you have to go back to nearly 20 years ago, in 2007.
There, the team consisted of Andy Roddick, James Blake, and Bob and Mike Bryan. They beat Russia in the final by a 4-1 scoreline.
The US remain the most successful team in Davis Cup history, having won their first title in 1900, and has claimed 32 in total.
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