Wesley in mood for Davis Cup Playoff
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Johannesburg - Wesley Moodie one of South Africa's top tennis protagonists in recent times is looking forward to representing the country at next month's Davis Cup World Group Playoff against India at the Indoor Arena at Ellis Park from 18-20 September.
Moodie, who was unavailable for selection in the past few ties, was included in the five-man squad announced by non-playing captain John-Laffnie de Jager; the other players completing the group are Raven Klaasen, Izak van der Merwe, Rik de Voest and Jeff Coetzee.
Speaking from his base at the Cincinnati Masters in the US, the towering 30-year old complimented his fellow teammates and acknowledged he was prepared to play in any role to help the team in this crucial encounter. "It's been a while but I am excited at the prospect of representing my country once again. We are just one match away and all I can say is well done to the guys for getting this far. I was fortunate to be included in the squad and I am looking forward to the challenge. I'll be happy to play where JL (De Jager) deploys me, said the 9th ranked doubles expert who has over the years proved an accomplished singles campaigner.
Asked about the possibility of rekindling the doubles partnership, albeit temporarily, with erstwhile doubles partner (Coetzee), following their much publicised break-up, Moodie disputed claims of animosity between them. "We did pretty well climbing up the world rankings and bagging a few titles along the way but I felt I needed a change. He was more upset at the timing of my decision rather than at me. Every partnership goes through a slump now and then and at the time I felt a change would be good for me. Look Jeff is a great guy, we keep in touch and hang out whenever possible; I had dinner with him just the other night and remain good friends so there is no reason why we can't play well together", he said.
De Jager will be forced to trim the squad down to four players before the start of the contest, and with Moodie's timely return and the impressive form the team showed when brushing aside the likes of Denmark, Belarus and Macedonia to reach the playoffs, he does at least have an embarrassment of riches to choose from. The final team will be announced closer to the tie.
The last time South Africa played at Ellis Park the home side narrowly lost the tie 3-2 to Germany; in that encounter the then 112th ranked Moodie upset Tommy Haas who at the time was 16th in the World.
This crucial tie hosted by the South African Tennis Association (SATA) is presented by the City of Johannesburg's Community Development division. Tickets are available at all Computicket outlets nationwide at R75 (Friday and Sunday) and R65 (Saturday) respectively.
BLD Communications
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