Tennis: Davis Cup drubbing a learning experience, says NZ captain

By MARTYN WATTERSON

Professionalism and big match experience were the key factors missing from the New Zealand Davis Cup tennis squad thumped 5-0 by Indonesia over the weekend.

Non-playing captain Bruce Derlin conceded his young team were overawed in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania zone group one playoff in Jakarta with the visitors taking only one set in five matches.

"It was tough going, but that's what happens with a young and inexperienced team," Derlin told NZPA yesterday.

"We ended up putting pressure on Mark Nielsen (New Zealand No 1) and he tended to overcook things. He needed a little more backup from some experienced players."

Despite the drubbing -- which was New Zealand's worst result in a Davis Cup tie for six years -- Derlin said the experience would pay dividends with the younger players being blooded into the rigours of international tennis.

"We took our best team possible and they tried hard, but we lacked consistency.

"The team have learnt they need to be more professional and the importance of raising their standards when needed.

"It hurts losing that badly but we've got some players for the future."

New Zealand arrived in Jakarta with Mark Nielsen, Matt Prentice, William Ward, and Lee Radovanovich boasting just 14 ties between them.

Ward was making his debut while Radovanovich and Prentice were playing in just their second tie.

The team were hampered when Simon Rea, who played in New Zealand's last tie against India in February, was not released by the University of Tennessee while original member, Dan King-Turner also withdrew through injury.

New Zealand arrived in Jakarta with a 3-0 winning record against the hosts, but that statistic was quickly erased after Nielsen and Prentice lost their singles matches on Friday, and the doubles pairing of Nielsen and Radovanovich were beaten in straight sets on Saturday.

Ward and Prentice played the reverse singles yesterday but failed to stem the Indonesian tide.

Derlin said the players were "pretty down" but he was confident they had taken some positives from the match.

"Davis Cup teaches the players to concentrate over longer periods with five set matches and also provides the challenge of playing away from home."

With daily attendances of around 1500, Derlin said the outdoor hardcourt-arena was testing with the boisterous crowds banging drums and cheering every point.

"It's a situation they need to feel comfortable in and their own tennis will improve for the experience."

"I'm just trying to give these guys as much big match exposure as possible."

"It was always going to be a tough assignment, and after losing a generation of Davis Cup players in Brett Steven and Alistair Hunt, we're in a re-building phase."

New Zealand's next Davis Cup outing is their Asia/Oceania group one zone away playoff against Pakistan in September with the loser being demoted to group two.

They won their previous Pakistani encounter 5-0 in Hamilton last year.

In their last 11 Davis Cup ties since 1999, New Zealand have won five.

"Now we have a pool of eight guys to choose from which is healthy for New Zealand tennis. You don't get any complacency within the team," Derlin said.

- NZPA