SATA fully behind Davis Cup team
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Johannesburg - The South African Tennis Association (Sata) is pulling out all the stops to boost the local team's chances during their all important clash with India in the Davis Cup World Group Playoff to be played at the Indoor Arena at Ellis Park from 18-20 September.
John-Laffnie de Jager is currently in New York at the US Open, courtesy of Sata, to support Wesley Moodie, Raven Klaasen, Rik de Voest, Jeff Coetzee and Izak van der Merwe who are taking part in the Grand Slam event. The five players are all in the preliminary squad for the much anticipated tie.
Sata CEO Ian Smith assured the team of the Association's full backing. "We will do everything in our power to ensure that the ultimate goal is achieved. The team has done well to get here and they need all the necessary support from us."
The non-playing captain says he appreciates the support. "It is great that they send me to the Grand Slams because the players really benefit when there is somebody helping them, said De Jager. The mandate is to help the guys prepare for the tournament but the main objective is to asses my players and to also have a look at the Indians, he explains.
He is satisfied with what he has seen from his charges despite some early exits from the tournament. Kevin Anderson was eliminated in the first round. De Voest, Klaasen and Van der Merwe's participation ended in the second round of the qualifiers. "I am very happy with the way they are all playing. Raven is really playing well and he has improved a lot. Wesley, Jeff and Rik are in the main draw of the doubles starting Tuesday and they are looking good.
Meanwhile India's no1 Sondev Devverman is in the last qualifying round at the same event. Devverman and De Voest have the same coach in Scott McCain. "I got to watch him in practice everyday and will monitor his progress", said De Jager.
The event is sponsored by the City of Johannesburg's community development division. Tickets are now available at all Computicket outlets nationwide retailing at R65 (Saturday) and R75 (Friday and Sunday) respectively.
BLD Communications
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