Luxembourg Faces Hungary in Davis Cup with Rodesch's Participation Uncertain

On Wednesday 16 September 2026, the SEAT Lëtzebuerg Davis Cup Team held an official press conference ahead of its home World Group I tie against Hungary, scheduled to take place on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 September 2026 at the Coque in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

Luxembourg’s top-ranked player Chris Rodesch (ATP ranked #150), who helped the national team secure a 3-1 victory over Ukraine in the World Group I Play-Offs in February, enters the tie against Hungary after a period away from competition due to injury. The 25-year-old won his third ATP Challenger title of the season in Pozoblanco, Spain, in mid-July but has not competed since.

Speaking at the press conference, Luxembourg captain Gilles Muller confirmed that Rodesch had resumed training around two and a half weeks ago, although his participation against Hungary remains uncertain. “You can train a lot and train well, but playing a match is always different. It is certainly not the best preparation, but these things happen in sport. Injuries are unfortunately quite common,” said Gilles Muller. He added: “We will really wait until the last moment to make the decision. What is certain is that we all want him to play, and I think he wants it even more. But we will see how he feels today and tomorrow, and then we will make the decision.”

The Luxembourg squad also includes Alex Knaff (ATP ranked #761), Louis Van Herck (ATP ranked #1705), Raphael Calzi (ATP ranked #1348) and eighteen-year-old debutant Matiej Reiter.

Luxembourg’s second-ranked player Alex Knaff expressed his determination to contribute to the team’s performance: “I’m just trying to prepare as well as possible for my performances this weekend and try to earn a few more points for my country.”

The Hungarian team, led by captain Kornel Bardoczky, arrived in the Grand Duchy with four players, including Hungarian number one Fabian Marozsan, currently ranked world No 60. While acknowledging that Hungary were stronger on paper, Bardoczky warned against underestimating Luxembourg.

“Of course, on paper we are better, but the Davis Cup is totally different from a normal tournament. I know the Luxembourg players are really dangerous. I know their results from previous matches. Knaff has beaten many good players, and we know that Rodesch is really, really dangerous on this surface,” said Kornel Bardoczky.

The Hungarian squad also includes Zsombor Piros (ATP ranked #116), Matyas Fuele (ATP ranked #579) and Davis Cup debutant Peter Makk (ATP ranked #517), who also attended the press conference.

The Hungarian captain confirmed that experienced player Marton Fucsovics (ATP ranked #120) would miss the tie due to a shoulder injury but expressed confidence in the remaining squad: “He has so much experience in the Davis Cup. He has won so many tough matches and big battles before, but I think we still have a really, really strong team. The guys are in good shape from what I have seen over the last two days of practice here in Luxembourg. We are confident ahead of the match, but we know that our opponents are really dangerous. That is why we absolutely do not underestimate them.”

On Thursday 17 September 2026, the draw for the Davis Cup World Group I tie will take place at Luxembourg City Hall at 12:00.

The matches will begin at 18:00 on Friday and 14:00 on Saturday at the Coque in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

(Caption: (L-R) Peter Makk, Hungarian tennis player; Kornel Bardoczky, Hungarian Davis Cup team captain; Credit: Ievgenii Karanov, Chronicle.lu)