AN unchanged team to play in the Davis Cup has been announced by South African Davis Cup captain, Marcos Ondruska.
The Proteas will play against Israel on February 2 and 3, at Irene Country Club outside Pretoria.
The KIA SA Davis Cup squad selected by Ondruska is Lloyd Harris, Nik Scholtz, Ruan Roelofse, Raven Klaasen and Tucker Vorster. Former elite doubles player, and current ATP tour coach, Jeff Coetzee, will act as the coaching consultant for the team.
Meanwhile, two of the country’s most promising young players – Philip Henning and Siphos Montsi – will join the squad as hitting partners, in order to gain Davis Cup experience.
Henning (17) is currently in Australia preparing to play in the Junior Australian Open. Siphos Montsi (18), who was a hitting partner with the squad during last year’s Davis Cup home tie versus Slovenia, also rose to prominence Down Under, when his play at the 2017 Junior Australian Open saw him hailed by Judy Murray, the mother of Andy, as a future star.
Ondruska told the media on a conference call from Seattle, USA on Wednesday that consistency was key to the recent success of the team and the players named had done South Africa proud in 2017.
“I think it’s going to be the most interesting tie that we’ve played in the recent past. The guys in the squad are as ready as they can be.
“They have had a good December and January getting their bodies ready for the demands of Davis Cup as well as their year around tournament play.
“We look forward to the first round and we’ll bring the performance we’ve been bringing to the table for an exciting tie,” said Ondruska.
Tickets for the KIA South Africa vs. Israel Davis Cup tie can be purchased through webtickets on www.webtickets.co.za and or at Pick n Pay stores for R150 per person, per session. Pick n Pay Smartshopper cardholders get a buy 1 get 1 free option online or by booking their tickets in store.
