Davis Cup holds a mirror, as athletes turn tireless warriors

The man who was born with war paint on his cheeks, Lleyton Hewitt travelled to Warsaw in Poland. And some of the old man’s spirit rubbed off on the youthfully wayward Bernard Tomic. The two combined to give their team the three victories needed to seal their spot in the world group for next year. The embattled veteran made light of his painstakingly marathon loss over Mikhail Youzhny in the fourth round of the US Open to help Australia get the better of their hosts.

Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning against Canada’s Milos Raonic

Elsewhere on an even more important stage, Serbia was in a pitched battle with Canada for the right to earn a place at the table for November’s final. The reigning world No. 1 gave his team a rousing start in Belgrade, but Raonic in the singles and Nestor alongside Vasek Pospisil in the doubles brought the visitors back in the reckoning with thrilling five set victories. Djokovic, still raw from the disappointment of losing his 22nd match to Nadal, went about his business with customary cool.

After snatching the first set in a tie-break, Djokovic switched gears to leave Raonic smarting in defeat. The tie hung in balance at 2-2, needing Janko Tipsarevic to clinch the deal in the final rubber, but the effect of Djokovic’s presence was all too obvious on the Serbian camp. It is remarkable that Djokovic could, much like Nadal, come off a Monday final in New York to help his team win two vital points for a place in the final.

The other semi-final was telling evidence of the importance of these players for the survival and success of these teams. The defending champions, Czech Republic enjoyed the presence of sixth ranked Berdych and the US Open doubles title winner, Stepanek. Unfortunately, Argentina struggle to get the services of their biggest star. Juan Martin Del Potro had made himself unavailable for cup competition way back in January. And despite losing in the second round of the US Open, the world No. 7 did not consider offering his support to the team.

In the event, Stepanek and Berdych showcased the power of commitment – winning their singles ties on Friday before joining hands on the second day to clinch the doubles rubber and with it their spot in the finals against Serbia. In stark contrast, the Argentine team was left smarting from their second semi-final exit in as many years. The concentrated dose of Davis Cup action, coming right on the heels of an exciting US Open served as the perfect platform to showcase the virtues of dedicated effort. The result was a stream of shining light glowing through the strained sinews of some of the finest tennis athletes of our times.

As spectators of sport, we are a privileged lot. We are witness to an evolving species of athletes who retain their enormous hunger despite the mind numbing travel schedules and the lung busting toil on the court in the pursuit of their dreams. It is indeed heartening, when not all of it is self centred even in a fiercely individual sport like tennis. And it is utterly impressive that some of the most elite athletes have the stomach for a good old battle for the sake of national honour, right on the back of a multi-million dollar pay day.