Dubai: The UAE coach is convinced that the presence of a specialist physiotherapist will play a significant role in the nation achieving its goal of retaining its Group III position at the ongoing Asia-Oceania Davis Cup in Sri Lanka.
The UAE has lost both its matches — against Qatar and Lebanon — and was the only team with a day off on Wednesday when heavy seasonal showers disrupted play at the clay courts of the Sri Lanka Tennis Associations in Colombo.
Malaysia and Turkmenistan are the other two teams in Pool B, with Malaysia first up on Thursday followed by Turkmenistan on Friday.
However, with heavy rain affecting playing conditions organisers were forced to postpone start of play late in the evening and continuing pending matches the following day. Lebanon maintained their leadership in Pool B with a clinical 2-0 win against Malaysia, while Qatar were leading 1-0 against Turkmenistan.
“The current situation can really work in our favour as the off day has given us that edge of resting midway through the competition. We have another two days to play on the trot and this rest day will be crucial as other teams will have to do double duty. This is why I feel the presence of a specialist physiotherapist [Marwan Douzi] can help us to a large extent,” coach Hichem Bramly told Gulf News from Colombo.
“Marwan has been a great help to all the members of the squad. A lot depends on fitness in a tough competition like the Davis Cup and he has been vital to our players since we landed in Colombo last week,” he added.
The UAE’s next two encounters against Malaysia and Turkmenistan followed by a possible play-off to avoid relegation means the squad of four will be pushed to the limit. “We need to be in prime form, and the presence of a physiotherapist will definitely help us a long way,” Bramly noted.
“It is no secret that we need to win against both Malaysia and Turkmenistan in the next two days. We have prepared well for the challenges ahead and a win will definitely help us in more ways than one,” he added.
The top two teams will be promoted to Group II, while the last two teams will be relegated to Group IV during the 2018 season.
