Doubles maestro Bob Bryan has become the new captain of the United States Davis Cup team.
The U.S. Tennis Association announced his appointment on Monday. Bryan, who will replace Mardy Fish at the helm of the men's US tennis team, has spoken fondly of his own memories of the Davis Cup. He was a member of the team that beat Russia in Portland, Oregon, in 2007.
On hearing the news of his new appointment, Bryan has shared how much the competition means to him, and how he still remembers the post-match celebrations 16 years ago.
That is at the top of the list of my best memories in tennis. All of those times in the Davis Cup trenches with my teammates are seared into my mind. We had highs and we had lows, but they´re definitely unforgettable. We'´ll never forget celebrating with our teammates, who we had gone through a lot with: Andy Roddick, James Blake, Mardy Fish. We had a fun night out in Portland. We were drinking out of the cup - whatever Roddick poured in there. He was the bartender for that night.
That victory in 2007 was, remarkably, the last time the US have won the Davis Cup. Bryan has now been given the responsibility of ending that unenviable drought. However, with such a talented current crop of US talent, Bryan believes a US triumph is within reach.
What I'm looking forward to is working with the guys throughout the year. Understanding them better. Getting to know them and their coaches. As a captain, you´ve got to understand that everyone is different and responds differently to different words. With coaching, sometimes it´s better not to say too much.
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