By Lucky Sindane
IT IS game, set and match for tennis lovers this weekend when the Davis Cup tie between South Africa and Germany will play out at the Standard Bank Arena in Doornfontein, Johannesburg.
The Davis Cup, an annual event at which 140 tennis-playing countries compete for top honours, is one of the biggest competitions in the world. The Joburg leg will run from Friday, 4 March to Sunday, 6 March 2005.
"We are expecting 5 000 supporters a day because the Davis Cup is the biggest team competition in the world," says one of the organisers, Bruce Davidson from BNP Paribas. "It's bigger than the Soccer World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, to mention a few."
Keith Brebnor, the tournament director, says the arena, which was especially built for tennis events, had been laid with a medium fast hard court. "The venue has staged the World Doubles Championships, the South African Open, the Davis and Fed Cups, and it has thrilled the crowd. Each seat has a full view of the court and being indoors, we can be assured of no rain delays."
An opening ceremony on Friday, 4 March at 2.45pm will be followed by two five-set singles matches; there will be one doubles match on Saturday, 5 March at noon; and on Sunday, 6 March there will be two reverse singles matches from 11am.
The South Africa team includes Wayne Ferreira, the former South African number one; Wesley Moodie; Rik de Voest; Jeff Coetzee; Justin Bower; Raven Klaasen; and Kevin Curren, the captain and coach.
Ferreira announced his retirement from international tennis at last year's US Open and his retirement from Davis Cup competition in September, when he led South Africa to victory over Greece in Pretoria. However, Curren and Ian Smith, the chief executive officer of the South African Tennis Association, convinced him to play in the tie against Germany.
"Wayne adds incredible value to our squad from an experience standpoint and obviously, with his availability, the prospect of South Africa's chances against Germany will be much improved," said Curren. "It also helps tremendously that our current top players have all made themselves available for the tie."
The German side includes Tommy Haas, who has won seven tournament titles and has been a finalist nine times; Nicolas Kiefer, the German number two; Rainer Schuttler; and Alexander Waske.
"This tie will be a unique tennis and sporting experience for our country, taking into account the stature of Germany as a global tennis nation and the fact that the Germans have named their marquee players Tommy Haas and Nicolas Kiefer," said Smith.
George Stainton, the chief executive officer of Ellis Park, which manages the arena, said operational plans had been put in place jointly with the South African Police Service, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Medical Services, Emergency Services, arena security, arena management and disaster management.
Ample, safe and secure parking will be available close to the tennis stadium.
Tickets are available from Computicket, priced from R60 to R110 for the Friday and Sunday sessions. Tickets for the Saturday doubles session are R60. Series tickets for all three sessions are available at discounted prices from R120 to R220.
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