Davis Cup: Czech Republic captain questions tennis in South Florida in mid-September

DELRAY BEACH — Tomas Berdych, captain of the Czech Republic Davis Cup team, wondered if South Florida is the ideal spot for a Davis Cup tie in mid-September – the height of hurricane season.

The U.S. faces Czech Republic Friday, Sept. 12 (6 p.m.) and Saturday, Sept. 13 (2 p.m.) in a second-round bout at the Delray Bech Tennis Center. Five matches will be staged, including doubles. Both days commence at 2 p.m.

While there are threats of rain for the weekend, Berdych told The Post Palm Post he’s more flummoxed by ever-changing practice schedules, saying tennis officials should think of weather oddities before choosing a site.

The Czech team, led by Miami Open champion, teenager Jakub Mensik, and Jiri Lehecka, began practicing in Delray Beach on Sept. 7.

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“It’s extremely hot and humid and you have to squeeze the practices in the morning (because) you can’t really wait to the evening,’’ Berdych told The Post. ‘I know the conditions will be better in the evening, but it will also rain. You can’t wait. If they want to practice 3 hours a day, they hit one hour in the morning. You wait for the evening and it’s raining, what are you going to do?’’

Delray Beach last hosted the Davis Cup in 2004 vs. Sweden– when current USA captain Bob Bryan participated in doubles. That occurred in April. September 10’s high in Delray Beach was 88 degrees with humidity at 70 percent. While daily thunderstorms are the norm this time of the year, at least there are no hurricanes or tropical storms on the horizon.

In his spiel, Berdych made a comparison to an ice hockey tournament.

“It’s something you have to keep in mind,’’ Berdych said. “Tennis is unique in that sense. In ice hockey, you have times (that) teams are training and that’s it. I can’t imagine some ice hockey team would come at 2 p.m. to the arena and, oh, there’s no ice.’’

“It’s absolutely unacceptable,’’ Berdych added. “It’s something tennis should look at a little bit more (in choosing a site).’’

US team loving the weather in Delray Beach

U.S. captain Bob Bryan noted that three members of his team – Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Reilly Opelka – live in South Florida.

“They’re comfortable here. It’s hot and humid – conditions they like,” Bryan said. “Everyone has got a smile on their face.”

Bryan also said he has a lot of respect for the Czech team.

“They’re a deep team, toughest team to face in this round,” he said. “If we don’t beat them, they could go all the way and win the Davis Cup.”

During the formal press conference later in the day at the Delray Beach Tennis Center, Berdych also alluded to “tropical weather’’ affecting practices, but was more diplomatic. “It’s not easy in these conditions, but it’s the same for both teams,’’ said Berdych, in his first season as Czech coach.

Berdych also hinted that Czech Republic’s 10^th seeding for 2025 Davis Cup as probably too low considering his talent, but admitted that’s what the computer rankings had it for his players months ago. (Mensik has since soared).

US Team, led by Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Reilly Opelka, seeded 6th

The United States, led by American stars Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Reilly Opelka, was seeded 6^th. In the first round last winter, USA beat Chinese Tapai and Czech Republic took out Korea Republic, setting up this pairing.

Berdych called USA the “favorite’’ but added, “Both teams are super strong. It’s unusual such strong teams are in the second round. We are both definitely contenders.’’

 Berdych, once ranked as high as No. 4 in the world, occasionally would as a player practice two weeks in Palm Beach County before the U.S. hardcourt series began in late July. He said he would sometimes hit with countryman Ivan Lendl at the Delray Beach Tennis Center. “I know the place,’’ Berdych said.

The winner between USA-Czech Republic advances to the eight-nation Davis Cup Final 8 to compete for this year’s championship November 18 to 23 in Bologna, Italy. U.S. last won the Davis Cup title in 2007.

Other second-rounders this week: Netherlands vs. Argentina, Australia vs. Belgium, Hungary vs. Austria, Japan vs. Germany, Spain vs. Denmark (U.S. open champion Carlos Alcaraz pulled out) and Croatia vs. France.  

Davis Cup 2nd-Round QualifierU.S. vs. Czech RepublicDelray Beach Tennis CenterFriday, Sept. 12 – 6 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 13 – 2 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Czech team prepares for Davis Cup qualifier vs. US amid weather worries