The SEAT Lëtzebuerg Davis Cup Team;
Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu
On Thursday 30 January 2025, a press conference was held ahead of the Davis Cup World Group 1 Play-Off tie between Luxembourg and Lithuania, set to take place on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 February 2025 at the Coque in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.
The SEAT Lëtzebuerg Davis Cup Team, led by captain Gilles Muller, is fully prepared for the upcoming tie. The team’s top player, Chris Rodesch (ATP ranked #282), and second-ranked Alex Knaff (ATP ranked #643), along with Raphael Calzi, Aaron Gil Garcia and Gilles Kremer.
Captain Gilles Muller shared his thoughts on the upcoming match with Chronicle.lu: “It's not going to be an easy one on paper. We are definitely not the favourite. We played South Africa two years ago here in Luxembourg. They were better ranked. We played in Colombia. They were better ranked, but we almost beat them. So as I said, I think Davis Cup has its own rules and rankings don't really matter in that competition. So yeah, we're preparing the best we can and try and be ready for a big battle on the weekend.”
Chris Rodesch shared what he knows about his opponents: “I saw Edas Butvilas in one tournament in Nottingham. A bit like practising here and there. I think he's a great player. I think the other guy [Vilius Gaubas], I see him playing now this week. He's also a great player, so I mean, they're really good players. We have to go for it. They're really good challenger players.”
The Lithuanian Davis Cup team’s first and second-ranked players are Vilius Gaubas (ATP ranked #192) and Edas Butvilas (ATP ranked #247). The team also includes former ATP Top 50 player Ričardas Berankis, who is currently Lithuania’s third-ranked player but is facing health issues. Captain Šarūnas Kulnys confirmed that the 34-year-old has been unwell following his participation in the Challenger Tour in Quimper, France. A decision on whether Berankis will be able to play will be made on Friday 31 January 2025.
Sarunas Kulnys, Captain of the Lithuanian Davis Cup team, said: “It’s a difficult match, and the ranking for the Davis Cup means nothing. The mindset and good preparation play a crucial role here. Our team will be fighting to win these matches.”
Two more Lithuanian players ready to help the team are Pijus Vaitiekūnas and Dovas Dersonas.
According to Markus Stegmann, Chairman of the Finance Committee FLT: “The match is completely sold out, so there [are] no ticket[s] left anymore, neither for Saturday, neither for Sunday. 1,050 places. Tickets are sold per day. So it's 2,100 in total.”
On Friday 31 January 2025, the draw for the matches Davis Cup World Group 1 Play-Off matches will take place at Luxembourg City Hall.
