Dubai: The UAE’s Omar Behroozian has joined legends such as Illie Nastase, Manuel Santana and Leander Paes in the Davis Cup roll of honour.
Behroozian, who began his Davis Cup career for the UAE as a 14-year-old in March 1996 against Lebanon, is in the hallowed company of Nicola Pietrangeli of Italy, Romanian legend Nastase, former four-time Grand Slam champion Manuel Santana and Indian hero Paes as one of the top five players with most wins.
At the top of the list is Pietrangeli, who is the leading all-time Davis Cup player – holding the record for most wins in both singles and doubles, having played 164 rubbers for Italy in 66 ties. He has a win-loss record of 120-44 leaving Nastase in second with a record of 109-37, Santana in third with 92-28 and Paes in fourth with an 89-33 record.
In Amman last week, Behroozian won all of his seven matches, singles and doubles, to currently stand just behind Paes and complete the top five with an 88-41 record.
Behroozian also figures as the second best in the number of ties played. The UAE player has played an amazing 77 Davis Cup ties for his country, and is still way off the number one spot held by Deomenico Vinci of San Marino with 93 ties. The UAE has a second player, Mahmoud Nader, in eighth position after playing 63 ties.
“It is important to have records, but it is more important to keep winning especially when one is playing for one’s country. I am proud that I am among the top five players. But there is no greater satisfaction than being consistent in performing each year,” Behroozian told Gulf News.
“Honestly, this is not just about playing. It is also about winning. And I am happy to have continued improving my record each year,” he added.
