Zimonjic looks to make home advantage count

Just a few weeks after staging a Fed Cup tie, Belgrade will play host to Serbia’s Davis Cup team, and Nenad Zimonjic, the nation’s doubles specialist, is excited about the prospect of appearing in front of a home crowd.

“It’s always nice to play at home,” said Zimonjic. “We always have a great atmosphere. There is a big stadium in Belgrade. I really can’t wait to get there and play such an important match for us.”

Serbia’s Davis Cup by BNP Paribas campaign in 2010 gets under way against USA. The two nations have not previously met, adding to the anticipation ahead of this fixture.

For the last two years, Serbia has lost in the first round. In fact, it has never progressed past this stage, so it is fair to say that this tie versus the 32-time champion could be the biggest in the nation’s history.

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere,” said Zimonjic, who has notched 34 career doubles titles, including back-to-back victories at Wimbledon, and is currently No. 1 in the world rankings.

“It’s good that we play indoors so the weather is not going to be a factor and the crowd is going to be behind us, that’s for sure, because it’s a big event. A team like United States coming to Belgrade, one of the best team’s ever in tennis.”

USA will be without the services of Andy Roddick and James Blake in 2010, but will be able to call upon Bob and Mike Bryan in doubles, and select from another of talented singles players, such as the in-form John Isner.

“They have so many good players,” said Zimonjic. “Andy is definitely their best player and James as well, they’ve been playing Davis Cup for a long time.

“But then they have Mardy Fish, John Isner, who is improving every day, they have Sam Querrey, the Bryan brothers. They have a lot of players to choose from and its not going to be easy for whoever plays that match.”

Novak Djokovic will likely lead the Serbian singles line-up alongside Viktor Troicki and Janko Tipsarevic. Zimonjic will play in the doubles rubber, although his partner is yet to be decided.

“It’s going to be a great event for the city, for the country and for us as well,” added Zimonjic.