GENOA, Italy -Ranked Rodger Federer arrived in Italy on Wednesday to play for Switzerland in the Davis Cup, two days after losing to Juan Martin in the U.S. Open final.
The Swiss team had allowed Federer to decide on his plans until after the U.S. Open.
“I never had any doubt about coming,” said Federer, wearing the red jacket of the Swiss team. “The doubts were created by others. It certainly wasn’t me.”
Winning the Davis Cup is one of the few achievements missing from Federer’s long list of accomplishments. He missed the first round of this year’s competition in March with a back injury, and the Swiss team lost to the United States 4-1.
The World Group playoffs begin Friday on the red clay courts at the Valletta Cambiaso club.
“I obviously have to get over my jet lag, considering the fact that I’m coming from New York, but everything else is fine,” Federer said, according to the Italian tennis federation.
Stanislas Wawrinka, Stephene Bohli and Macro Chiundinelli are also on Switzerland’s team, while Italy will use Andreas Seppi, S. Belolli, Fabio Foginni and Potito Starace.
Winner of the best-of-five series will return to the World Group next year.
Federer and the 22nd-ranked Wawrinka won gold in doubles at the Beijing Olympics.
“Obviously Switzerland is the favorite, but Italy is a good team and you never know,” Federer said.
Seppi is Italy’s highest ranked player at No. 59.
“It’s a tough tie,” Italy captain Corrado Barazzutti said. “But this is a unique competition compared to a regular tournament, and you can really get motivated for it. That’s why you often see strange results in Davis Cup. … We’re not going to go out on the court already beaten. We’re going to play and give our best.”
The draw will be Thursday.
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