By Chris Oddo | Monday, April 7, 2014
Davis Cup creates an atmosphere like no other in tennis, and we found five home brew videos that captured the essence of an historic Davis Cup weekend perfectly.
Photo Source: AP
It was an amazing Davis Cup weekend, as three of the four World Group quarterfinals went to a fifth and deciding rubber for the first time ever. We also saw Roger Federer play his first live fifth rubber, France engineer the first comeback from 0-2 down in the World Group in 16 years, and witnessed the coming of age of Fabio Fognini and Gael Monfils on the Davis Cup stage. There was passion (and so much of it), upsets, inspired play, and a whole lot of hooting and hollering.
There were also videos being taken...
After quite a bit of searching, we weeded out a few homemade videos that capture the fervent enthusiasm of the event. Scroll down to see each tie-clinching moment with all the intimacy of being in the 33rd row with a beer in your hand and your heart in the other...
1. France Clinches Victory in Nancy, Bird Dances
This wasn't isn't quite as intense as the Tsonga video that you'll see after the jump, but it does capture the feeling quite nicely. What is up with that bird dancing on the court?
2. Fognini Clinches Victory over Murray, Crowd Sings
Towards the end of the video, when the crowd breaks into song, goosebumps happen. Great moment for Italy, and Fognini.
3. Federer Clinches Tie for Swiss, Hugs Luthi First
This may be a relatively tame (and pirated) video compared to the rest, but hey, this is the first time that Roger Federer has ever won a fifth and decisive rubber for Switzerland. Maybe it was more relief that the Swiss felt when Roger finished off Andrey Golubev, rather than jubilation, but nonetheless it was sweet—as demonstrated by Roger's initial hug of his friend and captain Severin Luthi.
4. Tsonga Barely Misses Match Point against Gojowczyk
Wow, this is really intense, and from a great perspective where you can get an idea of the snap on Tsonga's serve. I watched this moment live on television, but it was nowhere as intense or visceral as watching this, even after the fact.
5. Czech Republic Clinches 11th Straight Davis Cup Victory
Short and sweet, just like the Czech whitewashing of Japan, is this video. Still a happy moment that also gives a good indication of the sadness that the home team feels when all hope has left the building.