Germany’s hopes of reaching the Davis Cup final for the first time in 31 years were dashed after a defeat to the Netherlands, ending the match 0:2. Jan-Lennard Struff fought hard but lost a close singles match, while Daniel Altmaier also faced a narrow defeat. The absence of star player Alexander Zverev, who was on vacation, compounded the disappointment. Looking ahead, the team aims to pursue victory in the 2024 season, with the next knockout round set for early 2025.
Germany’s Davis Cup Dreams Dashed After 31 Years
The German Davis Cup team has sadly missed out on its first final appearance in over three decades, suffering a disappointing defeat against the Netherlands. The frustration among the players and coaching staff was palpable following this setback.
Struff’s Valient Effort Falls Short
Jan-Lennard Struff showed tremendous determination on the hard courts of Malaga, battling fiercely against the odds. Unfortunately, his efforts were not enough to secure a victory. After a bitter evening of competition, the German squad remains in pursuit of their first Davis Cup title since 1992. In the semifinals, coach Michael Kohlmann’s team faced the surprisingly resilient Netherlands, ending the match with a score of 0:2.
Before they could take a well-deserved vacation, Germany’s tennis stars had to grapple with their disappointment. National coach Michael Kohlmann remarked, “We’ll definitely have a beer against the disappointment,” highlighting the close call that left the team yearning for success.
Even in the absence of world number two Alexander Zverev, who was already enjoying a vacation in the Maldives, Germany came agonizingly close to competing for the “ugliest salad bowl in the world” for the first time in 31 years. “In the end, nuances made the difference,” Kohlmann reflected on the tight losses that ultimately led to their exit.
Struff couldn’t change the course of the match during the second singles, narrowly losing an intense battle 7:6 (7:4), 5:7, 4:6 to Tallon Griekspoor. Earlier, Daniel Altmaier also faced a challenging match, suffering a close defeat of 4:6, 7:6 (14:12), 3:6 against Botic van de Zandschulp.
To add to the disappointment, Germany’s successful doubles team, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz, did not participate in the matches at all. Fresh from their ATP Finals victory, they left sunny Andalusia without contributing to the team’s efforts. However, with some perspective, Krawietz and Pütz can look back on the 2024 Davis Cup season positively, having remained unbeaten. “We have once again proven this year that we can compete with the big players,” noted Kohlmann, despite the challenges faced.
Zverev’s absence from the Davis Cup was notable; he did not compete in any matches this year. After missing the first round in Hungary due to illness, he also had scheduling conflicts during subsequent rounds. Struff, too, was sidelined by an injury, which meant Zverev’s absence from Malaga was a necessary choice for recovery after a taxing season.
Looking ahead, the team plans to make another attempt at winning the Davis Cup next year, hoping to break the long-standing drought since their last triumph. Struff stated, “At the moment it hurts, of course, because we were so close. But we will keep trying.” The first knockout round is scheduled for late January or early February 2025, promising another opportunity for glory.
In September, following recent reforms, teams will face a crucial do-or-die match instead of a group phase, leading into the Davis Cup Finals with eight teams concluding the season in November. “I think this will be the format for the coming years, and that’s fine,” Kohlmann shared, as he prepared to enjoy a cold drink to soothe the team’s frustrations.