Berdych And Almagro Are Not The Best Of Friends

Written by: Staff on 15th November 2012

Berdych And Almagro Are Not The Best Of Friends

epa03458995 Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic returns to Andy Murray of Britain during their match the ATP World Tour Finals in London, Britain, 05 November 2012. EPA/KERIM OKTEN |

The ill-feeling that still exists between the Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych and Spain’s Nicolas Almagro, that stems back to January’s Australian Open, adds an extra confrontational edge to the Davis Cup final that starts tomorrow in Prague.

As both Berdych and Almagro were amongst five of the involved players who acclimatized themselves to the court at Prague’s o2 Arena after playing in last week’s Barclays, the tall Czech who refused to shake Spaniard’s hand after his fourth-round victory in Melbourne, fired a verbal volley.

The antagonism resulted from Almagro ‘drilling’ or ‘tubing’ Berdych in the arm with a fiercely hit ball when he approaching the net, looking to volley. As somebody like Ivan Lendl would tell you it is a perfectly legitimate tactic but Berdych doesn’t see things quite the same way and cast aspersions over Almagro’s playing ability.

“I played Almagro many times this year and won most of them,” said Berdych, who in fact has won four of their five meetings this year. “If he’s nominated, he will be the weak point on which we can build our victory.”

Berdych can boast wins this year in Rome the US Open and most recently in Stockholm as well as Melbourne Park. Almagro’s only win came in Indian Wells and overall he trails 3-8 in the pair’s overall record. Berdych continued: “He’s missing that little something that distinguishes great players . He’s won smaller tournaments this year. But he always has a chance if he plays.”

Berdych, who back in 2006 alienated himself to Spaniards for ever more when he told an adoring Madrid crowd to tone down the volume of their support for Rafael Nadal, was also sarcastic about the Spanish doubles duo of Marc Lopez and Marcel Granollers, who were triumphant at the ATP World Tour Finals.

The pair were understandably ecstatic about their unexpected victory in London. While Berdych, who routinely pairs up with Radek Stepanek to form the Czech doubles duo admitted the Spaniard merited some congratulations. However he added: “Now they are expected to do something different, so just tell them to hurry up and prepare.”

Berdych and Stepanek formed the Czech team that was beaten 5-0 by Spain in the Barcelona staged final. He alluded to the importance of home advantage when he recalled: “We were in completely a different position and all that was against us is now going to be on our side.

“It’s still on us players to go there and fight for the three points. We will do everything we possibly can to get those three points.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Czech tennis news, Nicolas Almagro, Spanish tennis news, tennis rivalries, Tomas Berdych