Patrick Kaukova replaces Harri Heliövaara in the Finnish Davis Cup team.
15:10•Updated 15:42
Australian Open tennis tournament doubles winner Harri Heliövaara misses the upcoming Davis Cup international match in Austria on January 31–February 1. The Finnish team’s most experienced player, Heliövaara, 35, says in the Tennisliito press release that the decision to leave was not easy.
– First of all, the national team means a lot to me. Putting on the blue and white representative outfit is the greatest possible honor and I’ve been able to do it since 2008 to my joy. Because of this, the decision was far from easy, Heliövaara said in the press release.
Heliövaara has spent the beginning of the year in Australia, and he is supposed to continue his season in the United States next week. The Davis Cup Austria match thus hits a challenging seam. In Austria, the matches are played on indoor mass pitches, while in both Australia and the USA they are played on hard pitches.
– There is a really big risk of injury, considering the stress of the early season, the flying and the radical change in conditions. It’s not too young to be here anymore, Heliövaara said and said that he believes in Finland’s striking ability in both singles and doubles.
– There are really many good options for doubles and over the years we have shown our ability to stretch. Hopefully the boys will bring home the victory and we will be able to continue our pursuit of the Davis Cup finals together in the fall.
Understanding from Niemi to Heliövaara
Heliövaaran is replaced in Austria Patrick from Kaukovawho was also on the team in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals group stage in Manchester. Kaukovalta also played in the 2023 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
– Together with Harri, we talked about it. I know how difficult the decision was and what the national team means to Harri. I understand the situation very well and at the same time I’m looking forward to having Harri join the team again. This time, Harri is remotely supporting the team and participating in spirit, national team captain Jarkko Nieminen comment.
Heliövaara has played in all national matches since 2016 and has played in a total of 30 national matches. He played his first national team game already in 2008. Heliövaara won his pair of Australian championships of Henry Patten with. Thanks to the victory, Heliövaara rose to fourth place in the doubles ranking.
– Now it is a very good seam to achieve one of my dreams, the first place in the world list, Heliövaara said.
The five of the Finnish team will form in Austria Otto Virtanen, Patrik Niklas-Salminen, Eero Vasa, Oskari Paldanius and from Kaukova.
Source: Tennisliito announcement
Update at 15:42: Completed with information about game platforms and the fact that Heliövaara rose to fourth in the ranking.