If you think you’re busy, think again. Grigor Dimitrov and Steve Darcis will show why this week in Sydney at the inaugural ATP Cup, where they are serving as playing captains for their respective countries.
Dimitrov, Bulgaria’s No. 1 player, will have an especially hectic week at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre. He’ll start his day coaching the No. 2 singles match, have 10 minutes before going back on court for his own match, then potentially have a 45-minute rest before playing doubles if he chooses. If not, Dimitrov will be back in the captains’ seat, coaching once again.
“I was just thinking about that, literally. I don't know [how it’ll be]. I have done it before. I have jumped on the court with like five minutes' warm-up or anything like that. Only thing clearly I'm just careful not to overdo my body, just so I'm kind of fresh,” Dimitrov said. “I know it's not going to be very easy to just sit on the first match. And jumping right out is going to be I think super-challenging, but I don't know. I'm kind of excited for it. I will be ready, and plus we have all the support from the boys on the side.”
Dimitrov has embraced the role of captain since he helped Bulgaria qualify for the inaugural 24-team competition. Since arriving in Australia, he has been running practice for his country, and spending plenty of time with his teammates off the court, from morning runs to visits to local landmarks. But Dimitrov is having a blast in the process.
“It's challenging, no doubt about it. It's always been a dream of mine to always see on the other end,” Dimitrov said. “I think to be a coach is never easy. I don't know if I'm going to be a good coach. I can only share my experience, my thoughts with the guys. That's why it's called team. We can all discuss, we can find a good way to approach every single thing every single day, which is great. It's very new from what I'm doing and what I have ever done.
“I'm going to for sure feel a bit of the pressure on each end, but I have been doing it all my life dealing with pressure and everything. That's what makes it even more special for me and the boys.”
The nice thing for Dimitrov is that he’s not alone. He has an entire team behind him, with players he plans to rely upon to help push the country to success.
“I think in moments like that, I don't want to say you seek the help, but that's what makes a great team: a unity. And I think we all have that,” Dimitrov said. “Regardless of what time it is or what time of the match or the tie is, we're going to absolutely support each other for whatever we need out there, and I would say that's probably the most important thing.”
Dimitrov is not the only playing captain in Sydney, with Belgian No. 2 David Goffin also holding that position. Belgium and Bulgaria will interestingly compete against one another on 7 January.
Darcis' day will be a bit different than Dimitrov's— he competes first, then will quickly need to prepare to assist Goffin.
“I think it's going to be funny. Just after the singles, I will have to hurry to take a shower and to change to be ready for David's match,” Darcis said. “But it's a great experience to be on the chair and to be on the court in the same day. It's interesting, and I like it a lot.”
Darcis is not overthinking on the coaching end for Goffin’s matches. The Belgian No. 1 reached the championship match of the Nitto ATP Finals in 2017.
“I think he will have to prepare for his match. He has his own coach here, Thomas [Johansson], so he will be on the bench with me and he will be talking to David, of course,” Goffin said, before cracking a smile. “Me, I think I will be there just to clap and to support him.”
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