By Chris Oddo | Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Stan Wawrinka is excited ahead of Switzerland's home tie with Kazakhstan this weekend in Geneva, but he knows much work is still to be done.
Photo Source: AP
Even though Roger Federer wasn't present for a pre-tie press conference in Geneva earlier in the week, the 17-time Grand Slam champion figures to play a huge role in Switzerland's bid to claim its first ever Davis Cup title in 2014.
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The Swiss look good on paper, as they possess the two highest-ranked players left in this year's World Group, and that is something that is not lost on Stan Wawrinka. “We all know that we have a good opportunity, especially since Roger is playing and I am playing," Wawrinka said on Tuesday, per the AP, ahead of a home quarterfinal tie against Kazakhstan.
Federer reportedly skipped the press conference to be at home with his wife Mirka, who turned 36 on Tuesday (though Swiss Captain Severin Lüthi gave no specific reason).
But Federer did join the group for practice on Wednesday, per this tweet from Wawrinka.
Federer, who hasn't participated regularly in Davis Cup in quite some time, was out of action four years ago, when the Swiss last faced Kazakhstan in Davis Cup action. The Swiss lost that tie 5-0, but this year they hope to reverse their fate on home soil in Geneva. They are the clear favorite to do so, as Kazakhstan, led by Mikhail Kukushkin and Andrey Golubev does not boast a single top 50 player.
Wawrinka stands to get a hero's welcome from an expected capacity crowd of 16,000 in Geneva, and it's something the 2014 Australian Open champion can't help being excited about. "For sure, it's going to be amazing especially after my beginning of the year," Wawrinka said, referring to his maiden Grand Slam title in Australia. "First [Davis Cup] quarterfinal for me, playing in Geneva in front of 16,000. I'm excited for that."
That said, the World No. 3 doesn't want to get lost in the admiration or get fooled into thinking that Kazakhstan will be an easy victim for the ultra-talented Swiss. “We are not thinking already to the final,” Wawrinka cautioned.
But for Swiss fans, the possibilities are hard to ignore. With Spain and Serbia out of the mix, and defending champion Czech Republic traveling to Japan this weekend without Tomas Berdych, the draw could be wide open for Switzerland if they get by the Kazakhs. They would meet either Italy at home or Great Britain in England in the semifinals.
The Swiss team's closest call in Davis Cup came 22 years ago, when they lost to the U.S. in the final. This year, many can't help but think, could be the year they go one step further.