Players are more professional now, says Spain’s Bautista Agut
dubai — Roberto Bautista Agut, who missed Spain’s first round World Group Davis Cup tie against Great Britain due to an injury, is ready to wear his national colours when the Spaniards take on Germany in the quarterfinals in April.
“I will be ready to play the next tie if the captain calls me to play,” the world number 22 told reporters at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Spain, the five-time Davis Cup champions, will take on the Germans on clay court in Valencia.
Britain were without two of their best players — Andy Murray and Kyle Edmund — in the first round clash against Spain, but Germany will be tough hurdle for Bautista Agut’s team.
“They have a really good team. (Alexander) Zverev is one of the best players now in the world,” Bautista Agut admitted.
“Well, it’s a great opportunity for us because we are going to play on clay, we’re going to play at home. I think it’s better for us to play the tie on clay and with our preferred conditions.”
Bautista Agut then opened up on an issue that has been raised by several players, including Roger Federer, in recent years. “The
They have a really good team. (alexander) Zverev is one of the best players now in the world Roberto Bautista Agut
courts are definitely slower now. But I think here the conditions in Dubai are pretty fast. As I said, it makes the ball fly more. I always felt that the conditions here in Dubai are pretty fast,” he said.
“But overall, yes, I think the courts are slower than maybe 10, 15 years ago. I think yes. Everything is more playable from baseline now than before.”
The slower court condition, according to Bautista Agut, is not the reason behind the remarkable success of older players like Federer and Rafael Nadal in recent times.
“No, I don’t think that (the slower courts) helps the old players. I think every player now is more professional. Every player takes more care of his body, eats better and sleeps better. I think everyone is more professional now.”