Ram appears healthy for Israel’s Davis Cup duel with France
01/23/2013 23:29
The 32-year-old injured his hip during Israel’s 3-2 victory over Japan in the World Group playoffs in September and hasn’t played since.
Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich Photo: Asaf Kliger
After four months out through injury, Andy Ram believes he will be fit to play
for Israel in its Davis Cup World Group tie against France on February
1-3.
The 32-year-old injured his hip during Israel’s 3-2 victory over
Japan in the World Group playoffs in September and hasn’t played
since.
Ram underwent surgery to repair the muscle tear in his right hip
joint in Vail, Colorado, in October and promised on Wednesday that he will be
ready to team-up with Yoni Erlich in next weekend’s tie in Rouen,
France.
“I’m doing much better now,” Ram said. “I’m going to fly out with
the team as always, I’m going to play with Yoni as always and I hope to claim a
win as always.
“There is no reason for concern, I will play. And if I
don’t, it will only be because someone played better than me in
training.”
Israel enters the tie as a massive underdog, with France’s
squad boasting world No. 8 Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet (10) and veterans
Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra, who are set to play in the
doubles.
“We would be lying to ourselves if we said we expect to win this
tie,” said Amir Weintraub, who will play in the singles matches once more
together with Dudi Sela.
“We will still give our all in the hope that our
fighting spirit will be enough to pull us through.”
Israel’s Fed Cup team
also held a press conference on Wednesday ahead of its matches in Europe/Africa
Zone Group I, which will be played in Eilat between February 6-9.
Israel,
which was drawn to face Poland, Romania and Turkey in Pool C, will need to
finish first to advance to a tie against another of the three pool winners for a
place in April’s World Group II playoffs.
“Our realistic goal is to avoid
relegation and remain in Group I,” admitted Shahar Pe’er. “We are still not a
team which deserves a place in the World Group.”
Pe’er, who won her first
match in six months at the Australian Open last week before losing in the second
round, was also very candid regarding her struggles.
“I still love what I
do and I’m working hard and I hope that things will get better soon,” said
Pe’er, who has dropped to No. 90 in the world.
“I haven’t played well in
a long time and that can’t be changed overnight. You need to be patient and have
faith in yourself.
“Things will come together at some stage, but I don’t
know if it will be in a week, a month or a year.”