In advance of the South Africa vs. Venezuela Davis Cup series September 18-19 at the West Side Tennis Club at Forest Hills (the first Davis Cup matches at the historic former home of the U.S. Open since 1959), South Africa’s Lloyd Harris, fresh off his quarterfinal finish at the U.S. Open, spoke to the South African media. The transcript of the media call can be found below.
Noah Wolfe:
First off, that quarterfinal run at the US Open, what’s been the key to your success this year?
Lloyd Harris:
Yeah, obviously I’m coming in into the U.S. Open pretty confident. I’ve been playing some pretty good tennis throughout the summer. And, some of the most memorable and biggest wins of my career. So, obviously, last week’s result was the most special of all that. And I think, I’ve just had a little bit more consistency throughout this year. I’ve just constantly been bringing a really high level match in, match out, whether it’s been against a top 10 player, top five player, or a top hundred player.
Lloyd Harris:
I’ve tried to bring that same level into every match and I think that’s been a key to me winning a lot more matches over the season. I think that’s thanks to me being a little bit more strong with, physically strong and fit, just small things like that. But, overall it’s been a, a couple of great weeks, that’s for sure.
Noah Wolfe:
Of course, this all started, uh, really with that final’s run in Dubai, earlier this year. You beat Dominic Thiem. You go to the final and fall to Aslan Karatsev. But, since then it’s really like you found a, a completely different level. Of course, your other top 10 wins. Rafa, you had a great win over Shapovalov at the US Open. What do these big wins over these top players really do for your confidence?
Lloyd Harris:
Yeah, for sure. I mean, like you said, that, that run in Dubai really kick started something because since then, I’ve been playing with a lot more confidence. I got a lot more belief on the tour. When you go through a tournament like that, beating some big names, making a final of a 500. I think you have to believe that you belong in with the big boys and that you’re playing that kind of tennis.
I think it’s been really solid from there. I’ve been struggling a little bit with some niggles and injuries, but managing that on the side and still managing to play some good tennis beyond that. Right now, I’m feeling healthy and fit. The US Open was a good sign for me, feeling so physically strong and, and, so good even until the… after the quarterfinal match.
Um, so, I definitely got a lot of confidence from that, that run in Dubai, and you know, I’ve just tried to take that into the rest of the year. And, it’s gone pretty nicely.
Noah Wolfe:
And of course, now you’re the highest rank South African. Your quarterfinal result was the best since Kevin Anderson, uh, his run in 2017, all the way to the finals. Now, what kind of pressure do you feel, uh, with these expectations now as a top dog in the country?
Lloyd Harris:
I don’t feel like there’s expectations like, there’s always expectations. If you’re playing for your country, or you’re playing on the tour, you’ll always have the South African flag next to your name. So, I feel like I’m always playing for my country, representing South Africa, doesn’t matter if it’s for Davis Cup, or playing in the quarterfinals of the US Open.
I have all the South African’s tuning in, watching, supporting. So, it kinda feels the same to me. So it wouldn’t put more expectation on myself, but it’s just a, a privilege or an honor to be the the highest ranked player of the country. I think that’s a phenomenal achievement within itself. So, I just, I’m just very grateful for where I am right now and hopefully I can stay there for a long time.
Noah Wolfe:
Absolutely. Okay. So, we’ll open up the floor to questions right now. I see we have two hands up. Uh, Ashfak Mohamed, uh, we’ll have you introduce yourself and your affiliation, and you… and then you can ask your question.
Ashfak Mohamed:
Uh, thanks Noah. My name is Ashfak Mohamed, the Cape Town Sport’s Editor for Independent Media in South Africa. So, that’s a IOL website and various newspapers, hopefully Lloyd will know the Cape Times and Cape Argus, and those kind of newspapers here.
Lloyd Harris:
Yeah.
Ashfak Mohamed:
Okay. Lloyd, we know you as being a key part of the South African Davis Cup team for, for, quite a few years now, but this year, a- as we said earlier, which has taken it to another level. What flipped that switch in your game, where, where you can now beat the top guys, uh, on the circuit and reach Grand Slam quarterfinals? I mean, you’ve just stepped up to that top tier of, of world tennis now, ranks.
Lloyd Harris:
Yeah, for sure. Like you said, I mean Davis Cup’s always been a part of my schedule. I don’t think I’ve missed a tie in the last four years or so. So, yeah obviously very important to, to represent your country and get out there and play. We’ve done some great results, over the last couple of years. So, I’m super stoked with that of course.
And then, if it comes to my game, it’s actually interesting with all these Covid restrictions and lockdowns, I actually got a lot of… I had a lot of time to work a little bit more on my body, on the physical aspect, the fitness aspect. And, I think that has helped me a lot in my game. I think physically and…
Also, it allows you to be mentally, a lot stronger. I think that, that has helped me to continuously play at a higher level, not having to worry so much about the conditioning aspect. Also when you look at like these, like a run in to the quarterfinals in a Grand Slam. It’s a pretty physical task. I also played doubles. So, it was day in, day out playing five set, four set, three set matches. It was a lot of tennis being played but I still felt in great shape and still ready to go for more. I think that’s really (inaudible 00:05:36) my tennis game, onto the next level.
Noah Wolfe:
Craig Ray. We’ll have you go now.
Craig Ray:
Hi there, Lloyd. Uh, thanks Noah. Um, Craig Ray, Sport’s Editor of Daily Maverick, uh, in South Africa. Lloyd, Lloyd, well done, firstly, on the US Open run and, uh, a great year you’ve had. Uh, just speaking all broadly about the men’s game. We saw Felix Auger-Aliassime make semi-final’s, Medvedev break through winning the tournament. Do you feel, you know, there’s finally some cracks in the big three, and, and it’s time for some new generation players to, to really start winning regularly on the men’s tour now?
Lloyd Harris:
Absolutely. Absolutely. I mean, it’s been coming for a while. It’s just been still hard for, uh, for the younger generation to kind of crack into those Grand Slams. Novak’s just really been unstoppable until this very last match. I just think he came up against an extremely difficult opponent on the day. Daniil played some really good tennis throughout the whole summer and that just reflects this newer generation.
I mean, there, there was, Zverev winning the gold medal. Medvedev winning other Masters in the summer. So, this young generation is really coming through. And if you look at top 50 now, I think there’s more young guys in there than there’s been in the last 20 years. So it just shows you. Felix have, had some tremendous run but as well Hurkacz made… got a win in a Masters in Miami, Ruud winning back to back, or three titles.
So, this new generation is really coming through nicely and these are all the guys that I grew up with. It’s, it’s incredible how we, all within one year from each other, we’re all between 96 to 98 almost Which is, which is, pretty incredible. So I’ve known these guys for a long time and we’ve been competitive in the juniors already. And it’s nice to see all of us progressing and now I think it’s time to kick out that big three and let the younger generation take over.
Craig Ray:
Okay. If I could just follow on that. I mean, uh, you’ve grown up with these guys. So, I guess, there’s no fear for you, playing these guys. I suppose, fears maybe the wrong word, but no intimidation factor. When you maybe play someone like Federer, Nadal, that comes with a lot of history and baggage. But, when you’re playing these guys in your contemporaries, you feel like you’re on par with them? Does that give you a mental, sort of, boost?
Lloyd Harris:
For sure. I know these guys since, you know, 15, 16, playing on the ITF Junior Tours. I’ve seen all of them around. I’ve played against a bunch of them. It’s just like, almost like one of your friends that you grew up with and now you guys are just all competing on tour against each other.
Obviously, we’re fierce competitors when we’re out on the court but, yeah, definitely, I don’t feel scared or intimidated going on the court against them, to play them. And, and also now with my recent wins, and having more belief, even if you go up against a Rafa, Roger, Novak, like you gotta have the belief to beat them, because I know I can. So, so why not?
It’s gonna be an extremely difficult match. You gotta be ready for, for a challenge, that’s for sure. But, that’s what we love. We love going out in front of fans, going in front of those huge stadiums, getting those goosebump moments and competing against one of those legends. And, especially if you can pull off a win, a win against one of those, it always feels amazing, so it’s just like that little bit extra motivation almost when you go play out against them.
Craig Ray:
Thanks.
Noah Wolfe:
Herman, the floor is yours.
Herman Mostert:
Hi, there. Uh, hi there. My name… I’m Herman Mostert, from News24 in Cape Town, uh, or in South Africa, in fact. Um, Lloyd, uh, actually, Craig Ray actually asked, uh, pretty much what I wanted to ask. Um, but I’ll, I’ll, I’ll, I’ll give you my follow up question. Um, just looking at the US Open, that, that was finished last week, and, and the way, uh, a lot of the players seemed to play. Um, for me there, there, there was tendency of guys stepping into the fore court a lot more, coming into the net, and the perception was, and a lot of people commented on that the surfaces have, uh, sp- sped up, that, you know, the, the, the courts surface was a bit faster than it, than it normally is. I’d just like to get your thoughts on that.
And, um, and just, just your thoughts on Novak’s, Novak’s performance in the final. Um, he seemed to be serving and volleying quite a lot. Um, and, and whether you think that was a right tactic to use? Or, is it to do with the court surface or do you think maybe, um, he, he was just not physically ready to, to, to, to duel Medvedev for five sets? Um, yeah, so just your thoughts on that.
Lloyd Harris:
Sort of the court’s surface, I think, it was a faster court at US Open, than it has been in, in recent years, I would say. It did play fairly faster. I think the conditions, also with it being sunny out there, the ball’s didn’t flop as much, maybe as some other years.
It’s interesting because I think Australian Open was also the fastest court it’s been in the last couple of years. So, but then, but then you look at the other two sides. Wimbledon, I feel like, was the slowest ever. The same as Roland Garros with the new Wilson balls they’re using. So I don’t really know what they use to determine what the speed of the court is they want for the, for the next year. But, yeah, I think US Open was playing, probably as fast as I’ve ever seen it in the last four years.
That will definitely allow players to play more inside the court, like you said, transition more to the net, and because you’re gonna get a lot more of those shorter balls off the returns and things like that. They will just lead to player’s going forward a lot more.
I don’t think seeing Novak serve and volley in the final match like that, that it’s not his typical game, that’s not a typical Novak. I don’t think it has anything to do with his physical capability or the fact that he wasn’t ready to go five sets with Daniil. I don’t believe that. I don’t think that. I think his opponent was just absolutely stubborn in the sense that he was not giving Novak anything. He was like a wall back there, running side to side, standing 10 meters behind the baseline and it was just an extremely tough match for Novak. And if you, if you’re not playing 100% on the day, it can be really hard to play Daniil.
So, I think the game was, kind of, him trying to find a solution but he was just not coming up with right solutions, I think also with … you have so much history in the books, I think that mental pressure, physical, the pressure just builds up and maybe you’re not making the best decisions out there. But, I just think he, he played against a player that was better was on the day.
Herman Mostert:
Thanks.
Noah Wolfe:
Johann, uh, you can go now.
Johann de Jager:
Hi, Johann de Jager van Volksblad, sport and news editor in Bloemfontein. Um, Lloyd coming back to the court (inaudible 00:12:41). Um, on that tie break, with, uh, Sascha stopping play. How did you feel when he stopped play there because of the screen? And, afterwards when you guys, um, were busy drying up the, the, the, the court, uh, did you sort of explain or, or, um, something about him stopping the, the, the game in that, in that tie break?
Lloyd Harris:
Yeah, I mean, obviously I was upset about it. Really upset. So, um, I, I didn’t think it was, you know… It’s not obviously a sportsmanlike move, you know. You’re serving, literally standing there serving for… on a set point and you had to wait two minutes. It’s just, it’s almost unheard of, you know. Especially when it’s such a big match.
Unfortunately he hit a really good return. I lost that point and I kind of, just, you know, lost focus for the next two points there. You know, him winning the big serve and me just missing a ball out of the court. So, yeah, it’s not… it’s mentally not easy when, when, you know, you’re serving for the set and all of a sudden three points just slip out of your hands. So, it’s obviously not a easy situation to deal with.
I did have a little discussion with him. I would say we had a much longer discussion after the match because I was not happy. I had to tell him how I felt. And, uh, and we get on really well off the court, so I, I think it was the best thing to do and he explained his situation and I told him, “Listen, I’m still not happy. It’s still not the right thing to do. It doesn’t matter what, what, what’s going on there. You gotta leave it and we gotta continue playing.” And, he apologized, and we talked it out.
And, I mean, I’m still not happy with the situation, but you gotta move on, you know. Like, but, I mean, I couldn’t, it could’ve been a different match, per se. But, it doesn’t mean that it would’ve gone my way also. So, yeah. That’s, kind of, the situation of the story.
Johann de Jager:
Thank you.
Noah Wolfe:
Liam.
Liam:
Hi, hi, there. Thank you, Noah. Um, hi, there, um, Lloyd. Thank you so much. Um, congratulations on your, on your run on the tour. Um, when we speak about 2021, um, you know, two moments stand out for us. You know, we talk about, your first quarterfinal in a Grand Slam, you know, that being the US Open, um, you know, crashing out unfortunately, you know, to Alex Zverev, whose had an exceptional year as well.
And then, you know, you talk about the Citi Open in Washington, beating, uh, Rafa Nadal. Uh, your first time in a Grand Slam as far as the US Open, and now beating a 20 time Grand Slam winner, being Nadal. Which was more memorable for you for the year?
Lloyd Harris:
It’s a good question. I look obviously, you, when you beat a legendary player like Rafa that’s achieved everything that his achieved in his career. It’s obviously, if you take a singular match, or singular event, I mean, day, it has to be that match. Um, I mean, it, it’s probably one of my most memorable matches I’ve ever had. And, beating, like you said, a 20 time Grand Slam champion was extremely special.
But then if you look at a tournament as a whole, I mean, it, it is definitely a much bigger thing to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal. There’s a lot more crowd reach, a lot more people watching, tuning in, a lot more, a lot bigger stadium. So, yeah, I would say the US Open was definitely the better result as a tournament, and there was multiple good wins in there in the US Open. Beating Khachanov, Opelka and Shapo in a Grand Slam, I mean that’s not an easy task within itself, even though I did go out in the end. it was still one of my best tournaments ever. If not, my best.
If I put it all into perspective, I’ll have to go with US Open probably being my best result to date.
Liam:
Thank you.
Noah Wolfe:
Lloyd, just to pick up the conversation to Davis Cup here in Forest Hills. This is the first time that the Cup has returned here since 1959. And, of course, this venue has a ton of history, hosting the US Open for many years. And, the most Davis Cup’s actually of any venue in the world. How does this place, The West Side Tennis Club, and Forest Hills Stadium compare to the other stadiums where you’ve played your David Cup ties?
Lloyd Harris:
It has a lot more history, that I can tell you. (laughs) I think we’re very lucky. Big thanks to the club for having us out. It’s a very unique situation I’ve never been a part of a neutral tie. It’s really amazing that we can be out in New York, just after I finish this run. And I can go, go to a club, and play at this historical sight, play a Davis Cup tie for my country. It’s pretty special, pretty unique.
It’s extremely different. We’ve always played in South Africa. It’s been a much, also smaller, more compact venue, I would say, goes the same for even our international ties where we played. It also hasn’t been against the biggest of countries…
I’m looking forward to competing in this tie and in this amazing stadium with so much history. Can’t imagine with how the US Open facility looks now, like, that this was the US Open site, it’s just crazy to show how much this court has evolved and developed but it’s an amazing site none the less. And, you know, it’s just refreshing when you walk pass those grass courts and you get a sense of that history. It’s just a very nice place to be at.
Noah Wolfe:
Thank you, Lloyd. Craig, we have one more from you.
Craig Ray:
Ah, thanks Lloyd. The, the, the… on the Davis Cup, uh, two pronged question, I suppose. What do you know about Venezuela? And, uh, b, you’ve been a very loyal South African Davis Cup player, but as your ranking rises in singles, I guess there’s gonna be more and more pressure on you for time and events, and, and so on. Um, is your long term goal still to keep playing in the Davis Cup as much as you can? Or, do you think that is gonna start becoming a challenge in the future?
Lloyd Harris:
So Venezuela, that’s a tough one. It’s a country in South America. For starters, that’s what I know about Venezuela. They have pretty good coffee and (laughs).. I’ve done my little bit of research. I went just to when they released the names, I went to see who all the players were. it seems like they have some, I would say, more veteran players for their Davis Cup team, that’s played a lot of ties, been around for a while. They also have some younger players, guys coming out of college. So it looks like they have a pretty solid team all round.
They obviously don’t have a big name in the world rankings, that, that we know. I think they’ve done really well in the Davis Cup in recent years with the team they’ve had. So, Davis Cup is an interesting competition, It’s kind of, where rankings get put aside and you’re playing for your country and there’s so much more at stake. It’s with it being a team competition and all that, it just changes the whole dynamic of the tennis match.
I don’t… I wouldn’t say that it’s gonna be, I don’t know, if it’s gonna be a close or a difficult tie. It’s hard to put into perspective, but they have some really good players and it seems like all of them have played a lot of Davis Cup ties. So, it’s definitely going to be challenging and interesting, and I’m looking forward to that.
If your ranking goes up, the schedule gets more compact. You have more and more commitments, more places to be. But over the last few years, like I said, I think earlier, uh, I don’t think I’ve missed a Davis Cup tie in the last four years or so, um, ever since I’ve been part of the squad. It’s been really important to me, and that’s, that’s why I’m playing.
Ultimately, I would love for us to, to keep playing, keep winning, and eventually get into that World Group. I would love that for our country. I would love that for myself, and I think that would be a huge achievement for us to reach the World Group and be able to compete there against the best teams in the world.
Once again, I think that that is something that us as a team, and that we should all strive for. I think that would be massive just for tennis in our country, just because how big that stage is, and how the big the countries are that we’ll be competing with in the tennis world. So, hopefully everything works out. I can play all the ties and we can make it all the way to the World Group. That is the dream, the best ideal situation, but you never know how things will work out.
Noah Wolfe:
We, I think we have, uh, one more question. Anthony.
Anthony:
Uh, thanks Noah. Good afternoon, members of the media. (inaudible 00:21:56) Um, Christo, good morning to you too. Uh, members of the (crosstalk 00:22:02) media, uh, I, I, think just perhaps before we can wrap up, uh, we will be sharing the recording, uh, of this session, as soon as we done.
Christo van Rensburg:
Was that a question, sorry? Hello?
Anthony:
Uh, it might take a bit longer to download. I’ll send it through to you. Um, and, um having worked with t- the team for a few days, um, how are you feeling ahead of the, uh, of the, of the tie?
Christo van Rensburg:
Yeah, we’re very excited. That’s why I brought the team in on Friday already, a few days extra. So, we had time here to play and I’ve got a, a nice variety of power, speed, like I’ve said, I’ve got experience in the team. We are, I have my coach here, who used to coach me, actually played on that center court behind Noah.
And he has been looking at their team. They have two lefties. It’s like big swings, bigger swings, and more from the back. And we are paying attention to what the balls are doing on the center court and, according to that, I will then make the decision later in the week. The guys are playing competitively as I told them, they’re playing for a spot because some of them have not played a lot because of Covid, and college. So, this is a good time to see if they did any of the hard work during the summer. But, so far, very excited.
Noah Wolfe:
Thank you, Christo. So, if we don’t have any more questions… Um, does anybody else have anything else? Uh, Herman?
Herman Mostert:
Hi, can I just ask one more? Uh-
Noah Wolfe:
Yeah, go ahead.
Herman Mostert:
… Hi, Christo. Um, just a question on, um, on, w- your views on, firstly, y- your views on Lloyd. I- I’d just like to know. Uh, obviously, his now made his first major, uh, quarterfinal. Um, Potential wise, you know, in the next decade. Yeah, we’ve seen, uh, we’ve seen Kevin Anderson reach two major final’s. Obviously, (inaudible 00:24:10). Lloyd has shown lots of potential, and where you think his got what it takes, you know, to, you know, match that, and even go better, within the next decade?
Um, especially with, with, you know, the top three guys going… th- they are a bit, bit past their time now. Um, just your thoughts on that, uh, and on his potential. And then, um, maybe on, on, you know, the rest of the South African, uh, players, you know. Do you see, any, anyone out there that could also potentially hit, uh, top 50 in the world within the next five or 10 years?
Christo van Rensburg:
Just wanna make sure I, I understand this question correct because I missed a little bit in the beginning. The first part is me talking about, uh, Lloyd, correct?
Herman Mostert:
Yes. Yes, just Lloyd’s, um, potential and what his shown so far, and your views on his game. And then-
Christo van Rensburg:
Yeah, okay. Yeah, I got it. Okay, so I’ve gotta get my words right here because I know his listening in here and I’m gonna see him in a few hours. So, uh, listen, uh, firstly, I was very excited. If I go back a few weeks, when I called him and he told me right away he loves to play Davis Cup, because usually when players are getting very high up in the ranking, sometimes they shift their priorities. And, uh, it was one of the easiest phone calls for me. And, I was very proud in how he explained to me that he takes, uh, Davis Cup very serious.
I think he actually said it 100% correct, when you asked him the question when he plays these guys, or if he feels he can play with them. He was brought up in the ITF with these guys. So, when you in that environment, and you grow with these guys, rankings actually does not matter anything, because you treat them as your own.
Where I think, usually when you 18 or 19, you get on a tour, and you would play a guy that’s 29 years old, whose ranked number one, there will always be that feeling of over respect. So, I think that plays in the favor of Lloyd. When I got to know him now, never met him before, and physically, it’s amazing how strong the guy looks. So, I, I think taking confidence from winning and competing, and beating former number one’s and number one’s, can build on that confidence, and from my point of view, very fortunate to be on the court here with someone with that much confidence, and coming off a US Open. So, it’s kind of excitement for me, also.
For the young guys, every day they practice, I see more and more potential, and what’s great for me now, is I can now go back to these guys coaches at college. And, my coach and I here are gonna find a form, a plan of what we see, how we can develop. And, then talk to their coaches at college and see, can they help us. And, at… for South Africa, I think this is something we talk behind the scenes. Our generation from South Africa is probably gonna move into college and then move to the tour. We have to already start looking at who are the colleges coaches that would love to work with us. But, I’m very excited where all these guys are right now. And, also the new guys playing the younger guys in those 25 thousands at home, that I follow.
Herman Mostert:
Thank you.
Noah Wolfe:
Johann. Uh, one more.
Johann de Jager:
Christo, ab- about, f- from the guys selected in the squad, are there any other South African’s, like, uh, a Lleyton or a Joubert Klopper hitting with our guys?
Christo van Rensburg:
Lleyton is actually in the team, if you don’t know. So, lemme just clear this quickly. I’m allowed… I was supposed to, and I did, 10 days ago, I have to name a team of five. Uh, our, 11 o’clock, on, uh… 5 o’clock Friday afternoon, that’s when I’m naming my final five. So, I am allowed to take two people out and put two in. Lleyton is still in that team, but I only had to announce five. So, I took the top two on ranking, that was Sipho and, uh, and, uh, Philip.
So, Lleyton is definitely someone I’m looking at. Very athletic. Very, very big serve, biggest I’ve seen. And, then a huge forehand. So, there’s obviously… And, his just moved to, uh, the University of Central Florida, where his now being coached by Andy Roddick’s brother. So, there’s obviously very exciting news for him, to see it. And, then everyone knows that Philip is gonna be… was ranked seven in American college. So, his got a lot of experience. Ondruska saw that already in the last five years. So, he is in the plan.
And then you… Klopper came to my training camp and his with Ian Duvenhage at Vanderbilt. Understand his game 100%, so, uh, he is in my group of 10, and so are br-, you know, (inaudible 00:29:54) and there’s a few extra people there and that knows they’re in my 10, that I keep watch at this stage. (crosstalk 00:30:05) And Sipho’s gonna play number one for Illinois this year. So, we have players on our team whose playing one for their colleges. That’s exciting.
Liam:
Um, Christo. It’s Liam here again.
Christo van Rensburg:
Hello, Liam.
Liam:
Liam, from Vision View Sports Radio, Johannesburg. Um, I wanted to find out, uh, Christo, you know, since, you know, the Davis Cup is supposed to be played in March. Uh, it now, it was postponed to September due Covid-19 reasons. Do you think that was a blessing, uh, for you to, sort of, you know, have more time to strategize and, and look at the players that you have?
And also, and also, sorry, can I just add in… And also, what, what, what is your conversations been thus far with, uh, with Raven Klaasen?
Christo van Rensburg:
With Raven it’s very easy because we know each other really well. You know, and he just arrived today, so he called me. So, Raven is great. He is obviously, a well respected guy and I feel comfortable because his getter closer to my age. So, I have someone to relate to in this team, you know. And, I give him a hard time for it, but his a great guy and everyone knows him.
Anyone who plays this game when they’re 38, are done… have done some amazing things looking after their body. And, I’ve watched his matches now at the US Open, uh, on, uh, on… while they were streaming it, and his just a, his just a, a great guy and I think everyone respects him. And, his gonna be valuable for South Africa, even after he retires. Uh, that was the one question. I’ll look at the other, the other one before, that was… just refresh my memory.
Liam:
Um, the other one, I spoke about, um, the Davis-
Christo van Rensburg:
Oh, the tie in March? Yes, you’re 100% correct. In March, I would’ve had to go just on plain ranking, because it was… I only officially got the job in January. So, that was gonna be like eight weeks, and I was gonna have to rely on people like Lloyd and Raven for that. Obviously, it gave me more time in the summer, and, uh, to kind of, find out what the guys are doing.
Unfortunately, some of them didn’t play a lot in the summer. And, we are working on that from the South African point of view, that these tournaments you see now in South Africa, the 25’s, and that’s why I make Carlo not come to play that. And he was very excited because he can play three of them, Carlo (inaudible 00:32:41), to get his ranking up.
We need some of these in the middle of, of the holiday season of the college guys. So, when they go back to South Africa, they can at least play tournaments. So, we are working on that. So, I think, my life and the next Davis Cup captain’s life is gonna become even easier to see who are the people we wanna put into the teams.
Noah Wolfe:
Christo, thank you so much. And Lloyd, thank you. This is all the time that we have for today.
