The Czech Tomas Berdych, 32, a two-time Davis Cup champion (2012 and 2013), will no longer play that tournament as a player, he announced in a statement.
«A very beautiful time is ending. I am happy to have participated in it and to have helped the Czech Republic to win the Silver Salad Bowl twice, ”explained Berdych, currently 16th in the world ranking.
“I have participated in 29 Davis Cup qualifiers since 2003, but at 32 I cannot be playing all the time, without resting,” added the Czech tennis player, winner of 13 tournaments on the ATP circuit, although none of them of the Grand Slam . He was a finalist at Wimbledon in 2010, reaching number 6 in the world, and then number 4 in 2015.
Berdych won 50 of the 67 games he played in Davis Cup, a competition where he only missed two qualifying rounds between 2003 and 2013. His last participation dates back to early 2016, in the first round victory over Germany (3-2).
Led by Berdych and Radek Stepanek, the Czech Republic was the Davis Cup champion in 2012 and 2013, then reached the semi-finals in 2014.
Last year, the Czechs were demoted after their defeat in Australia in the first round.
Their next tie will be against Israel on April 6-8.
Tomas Berdych will no longer play in Davis Cup
