Despite the Slovenian Davis Cup team having only jetted into South Africa on Monday April 3, the visitors are upbeat and keen to take to the court against KIA South Africa this coming weekend in the nation’s capital.
KIA South Africa face Slovenia at the Irene Country Club from Friday April 7 to Sunday April 9 in the all-important Euro/Africa Group 2 second round tie. The winner will get a shot at playing for promotion into Group 1 in September.
Blaz Trupej, the Slovenian captain, said that his team had wasted no time getting onto the court. “Although we had a long and tiring flight to South Africa we had a good practice session on Monday. The venue is good. The court is playing slower than we anticipated, we like the balls and with the tie being played late afternoon/early evening it will be cooler and better for my players,” said Trupej.
In 2012, South Africa beat Slovenia 4-1 at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre in Soweto. “We prefer Irene to Soweto – the altitude seemed higher and the court much faster there but here things are different and looking good,” said Trupej.
Trupej admitted that the altitude would play a factor but after practice on Monday his boys felt surprisingly at ease with the altitude.
Marcos Ondruska, the KIA South African team captain, said that Irene was especially set up for Team South Africa. “We are the home team, so we took full advantage of that and chose Irene Country Club. Irene is proving to be a good hunting ground for our team and although Slovenia seem happy with the venue their likes are just a small percentage of our overall advantage.”
Lloyd Harris, the top ranked South African singles player, said he was in good shape and ready for the weekend. “I feel good right now with my game and am happy that the times of the start of play have changed to late afternoon. I am ready to play under lights and I think the start time change made by Tennis South Africa will allow for more spectators to make the tennis and create a unique atmosphere for them.”
Raven Klaasen, who recently captured his second ATP Masters title in Indian Wells, California together with his American partner Rajeev Ram, was optimistic about South Africa’s chances against Slovenia. “We have a solid team and the same team that did us proud against Estonia in February. The consistency works well and Ruan and I look forward to going out together on Sunday and clinching that important doubles point for the country.”
Tickets for the tie can be purchased via www.webtickets.co.za for R150 per person, per session.
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