Dear Readers,This weekend we all witnessed the superb capabilities of the Israeli Davis Team, against all odds and far from everyones believe and imagination. It all started with a top notch game played by Harel Levi, followed by another great performance by Israel's number 1, Dudi Sela, only to be completed by the dual and ever lasting AndiYuni. The truth is that it all began a long time before the historical win over the Russians who have been in the game for so many years with great achievements and wins over some of the best teams the world has to offer. In spite of the fact that the Russians showed up here in Israel lacking their 2 top players, no one thought and could predict that Israel with only one player in the top 50 and 3 others far behind the 100 mark (singles), can win and win it big. 3 nil in the first 2 days has reserved them a place in the semis and by any standards, a world recognition name among the 4 best teams in the world.
Determination and Strong Will - Over the years I had the privilege to travel with most of the guys on the team to the many tournaments they compete in around the world, see them in practice and even share some wonderful social moments with them, all far and away from home and the amazing crowd that we have here. When you are out there, you pretty much on your own. You are all alone with your thoughts, all alone with your feelings, all alone with your wins and all alone with your loses. You can play the match of your life or break up with your girlfriend, lose an easy match or celebrate a birthday, in any case and almost always you are alone. Which brings us to the court advantage and the benefits of playing in your own backyard watched by your own and always loyal spectators.
When all of the above tend to impact and effect your game and the outcome of it, playing at home minimizes the chances of falling apart and strengthening your determination, strong will and motivation on the other hand. This weekend we have seen exactly that. Watching those man out there fighting for every ball, every game and every set, supported by the amazing and some of the best 10,000 fans, was one of those moments in every athlete high point in their career that is priceless and overwhelming. The team knew that this will be their wining point, they took advantage of the situation and used it to their benefit to go out there and produce what will be known and remembered as one of the best tennis weekends our country has ever known.
In closing I applaud the team for rising to the occasion and making history with their phenomenal win over one of the best tennis teams in the world. A big hand goes to all those people who came and supported the team those 3 days. You have no Idea what an impact you guys had on the players and the outcome of the matches. lastly, on a personal note, I want to congratulate Harel Levi who came in as an under dog but showed everyone that he is everything but. I have known this man for 10 years and always thought that he is a true winner. He has been through many ups and downs, thick and thin and never ever gave up. In my book he is the true hero of this historical meeting and I wish him a great and much more success in the months and years to come.
See you in September,
AfikoMango ;)
