https://soundcloud.com/ubitennis/the-belgian-team-in-english-after-final-defeat
Captain Johan Van Herck and David Goffin met with the media after Belgium lost the Davis Cup final to Great Britain. Visibly disappointed with the result, the Belgian team had to admit they lost to a better team, but managed to take the positives from their fantastic run to the final.
Goffin spoke first, praising his opponent Andy Murray.
“It was a good match, but Andy was very solid today. I gave all I had. After a match like this and a tie like this i think we can all be proud. I believe we played an amazing season in Davis Cup this year, but Andy and Great Britain deserved to win”.
Captain Van Herck joined the chorus of no regrets, and analysed how Murray today and the Brits all weekend, happened to have the better edge.
“I stand behind the preparation we made for the match. I just think today we lost to a better team, that’s it. I think once you saw Andy playing today, like David said, there was nothing more we could have done to win it. Murray was just a better player, he was great at the big points”.
Comparing his game to the one of the Scot, Goffin humbly admitted he has to improve his game if he wants to break into the top 10 of the men’s rankings. One aspect of David’s game that needs improvement is for sure the serve. The Belgian hardly put the first serve on court when points started to matter and kept a low percentage all match, barely 51%, of first balls on court. Against a top opponent like Murray and on clay, where consistency is the key, such a low percentage becomes crucial.
Both David and his captain agreed.
“I have to improve my game in every part,” said Goffin “I need to serve better. I have to stay aggressive and work on my baseline game to allow myself to be more aggressive constantly. I played some good matches against top 10 players this year. The goal next year will be to win more matches against such opposition.”
