Finland leaves a challenging situation for the Davis Cup tournament held in September. The collaboration between Emil Ruusuvuore and Jarkko Nieminen has aroused interest.
Last year, the Finnish men’s national tennis team historically advanced to the top four in the Davis Cup tournament. Finland is also participating in this year’s group stage of the 16 best teams, but about two weeks before the first matches there are big question marks.
Finland’s number one singles player Emil Ruusuvuori had to miss the US Open citing injury. Ruusuvuoeri’s past year has been very rough due to various ailments and illnesses.
Otto Virtanella had back problems in yesterday’s 2nd round match against Australia Alex de Minauria against. Virtanen’s sore back was treated during the match. Minaur, ranked tenth in the world rankings, was better in three straight sets.
Ruusuvuori and Virtanen have been named to the Davis Cup tournament to be played in Manchester. Finland will face Great Britain, Canada and Argentina in its initial group. The best two of the groups advance to the top eight.
Both Finnish players would naturally have a significant role in the Davis Cup tournament. Team captain Jarkko Nieminen aware of the challenge of the situation, but remains hopeful.
The team will fly to Manchester next week.
– They are things that cannot be influenced. We have to hope for the best, Nieminen acknowledges.
Nieminen says that at least no one is out of the game when it comes to the Davis Cup. In addition to them, the team has, as usual, a doubles star Harri Heliövaara. The other two players are Patrik-Niklas Salminen mixed Eero Vasa.
– In that sense, there is time, but of course a little. The five that have been named are still named. If someone from that five doesn’t make it, of course I would nominate someone healthy to replace them.
Not Ruusuvuori’s coach
If Ruusuvuori had been able to participate in the US Open, Jarkko Nieminen would have gone with him.
Ruusuvuori ended the coaching cooperation earlier in the summer by Federico Ricci with. Now Ruusuvuori is looking for a coach, but according to Nieminen, the trip to the USA would not have involved anything else.
– I am available to the entire national team ring and their teams. You can ask to spar if necessary. It would have been a bonus that there would have been three Finns there. I have the same situation with him as before, Nieminen says.