Lehecka: "Perhaps now we are a bit of favorites, but that in the Davis doesn't matter"
The Czech team's number one talks to Puntodebreak about Alcaraz's absence, his country's excitement for the Davis Cup, and Tomas Berdych's role as coach.
The last 24 hours in Bologna have turned the quarterfinal tie between Spain and Czech Republic around by 180 degrees. Without Carlos Alcaraz, the focus now shifts to the winning trio of the Central European country, a combination of youth and enthusiasm firmly stepping into the top 35. Among them, the number one is a player who defeated Carlos in Doha and is gaining more elite experience with each game.
Jiri Lehecka (Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic, November 8, 2001) is no longer the young inexperienced player he once was. His 24 years give him a certain standing in the elite; they have established him as one of those players who, on a day when all his shots are working, poses a danger to anyone. Power, finesse at the net, and the ability to produce winning shots from anywhere are traits that have earned him a place in the top-20 and make him the number one of the Czech team in Copa Davis 2025.
His role as a leader is now amplified following Carlos's absence: by ranking, the Czech will have all the pressure to secure the first point of the tie against a player lower placed than him in the world rankings. Has anything changed in his preparation, in his approach to this series? Are we now witnessing a completely different tie? No one better than him to answer this question, in a very pleasant conversation directly from the SuperTennis Arena in Bologna.
"It is clear that we have seen that change. Definitely, the difference is quite significant for the Spanish team. Personally, my preparation hasn't changed at all. We know what we need to do, I know how to prepare myself, but it's clear that there are some things that are done differently. The hours I spend on the court, the effort I put in, all of that remains the same", points out a Lehecka who wants to avoid any hint of relaxation or change in routines.
Many now consider the Czech team as the clear favorite for the tie, a complete reversal of the narrative from previous weeks. Lehecka agrees, but only to a certain extent... and by no means does he consider the victory a done deal. "We all knew that for a team like Spain, not having Alcaraz changes the story. This is something we can all agree on. However, I don't think we can talk about favorites or non-favorites", states the Czech with certainty before making a brief comment on the nature of a competition unlike any other.
"On paper, perhaps, we are now slightly favored, but in the Davis Cup this is insignificant. It is a unique competition where these differences hold no weight. For us, the most important thing is to feel comfortable on the court, to be able to give our best and not think about who is on the other side of the net, just play well. This is how we can best help the team", confidently affirms the player from Mlada Boleslav, acknowledging the challenge that Jaume Munar will present in the clash of top players.
Tomas Berdych, a flood of vitality and a captain to rely on
This year, however, the Czech team presents a significant change. After over two decades in charge, the eternal Jaroslav Navratil, who had been the skipper during the Czech tennis golden era (with him and the legendary duo Berdych-Stepanek, they won the 2012 and 2013 Davis Cups) has stepped aside, paving the way for the country's latest great figure to be the leading force.
Under Tomas Berdych's leadership, the Central European team has overcome two tremendously challenging encounters, particularly a tough tie against the United States as visitors. The impact of the Wimbledon finalist has been immediate, and Jiri doesn't hesitate to praise his new captain, highlighting the generational and age proximity playing a crucial role in the cohesion within the team.
"I think the whole team feels great with Tomas by our side. Due to age, he is closer to us and perfectly understands the tennis being played on the circuit right now; it's not as distant as when he was playing. In this case, his experience in the Davis Cup as a player helps us immensely, especially in terms of how we feel, the decisions we make on the court, how we approach and prepare for a tie, how we are throughout the year... because he has experienced it first-hand, during his career, and that experience seems to have immeasurable value", confesses the top player of his country.
Indeed, the relationship between Berdych and his compatriots resembles a kind of quid pro quo: Tomas's trust in names like Mensik or Machac is unwavering. "Also, I believe that we are all more mature now, we have more experience, it's not our first year on the circuit, and that also benefits him because he knows we are not rookies and it's not our first time in the top-40 or playing Davis. That also helps him: he treats us as players who are on the path to becoming complete, as I wouldn't say we are complete yet, but we are getting there. He also won two Davis Cups as a player, so that experience, combined with everything else, makes the combination a winning one. So far, it's working really well: it's great to have him by our side".
A Davis Cup that faces as a turning point for 2026
Jiri's season has had great moments, although periods of certain irregularity. Champion in Brisbane, finalist in Queen's and Brussels, quarterfinalist in the US Open 2025: the year's highlights overshadow important streaks of defeats, a lack of consistency keeping him from making the leap to the next level. Can the Davis Cup be a catalyst for 2026? He doesn't seem very tempted by the idea, perhaps due to the two recent losses in tournaments and the feeling that the real preseason will come later.
"Finishing the season strong, whether we talk about tournaments or the Davis Cup, definitely helps you for a good start next year. It would be great, yes, but I don't like to look too far ahead. We are here, thinking about our next match, that's our big goal. We have all done a great job in the last two Davis Cup ties: I believe that our results here will not depend on how we feel next season. The Davis Cup happens every year, it would be great to have a great outcome, but even if things don't go our way, I think we can prepare well for 2026".
A leader gaining more influence aiming to bring Czech Republic back to their last golden era... led on the court by the one now leading in the locker rooms. Lehecka and Berdych's Czech team already has their sights set on the Ensaladera... but they will have to face the enthusiasm of David Ferrer's Spain. Let the show begin.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Lehecka: "Quizás ahora seamos un poco favoritos, pero eso en la Davis no importa"