Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

David Goffin, who will lead Belgium’s bid to win the Davis Cup for the first time since 1904 in next month’s final against Britain, admits he has faced a tough and at times seemingly impossible task to put male tennis on a par with the achievements of former world no.1’s Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters in his homeland. However, a Davis Cup victory in Ghent could finally put Goffin and his team-mates Steve Darcis and Ruben Bemelmans on a par with the illustrious Belgian female duo.

Goffin is a shy character who does not like to speak up. But he was brave enough to admit: “I’m in the world’s top 20 for the second year in a row, but last year that was not enough for Belgian people. Justine and Kim were both no. 1 in the world, so after that it was tough.

“People were waiting for another no.1 and for the first and second rounds of this year’s Davis Cup, the Belgian people didn’t come to support us.

Things changed in the semi-final against Argentina when the atmosphere was much better but how we do in the final is the key to the future.”

Goffin admits there has been a massive degree of luck involved in Belgium’s achievement this year. Four successive home ties would be enough for most teams but in the first two ties, neither Switzerland or Canada could call upon their top two players, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka, and Milos Raonic and Vasek Pospisil.

Now home advantage has meant the Belgians have been able to declare the tie will be played in an indoor clay court, which has caused much concern for Britain’s leading player Andy Murray who may still miss the ATP World Tour Finals as a consequence.

Although Goffin’s player profile in the ATP media guide says his favorite surface is hard court, he points out he is more than content on clay. “I like it and so do the other players in the Belgium team so that is why we decided it would be clay,” he said. “It was a very simple choice in our favor.

“Andy is obviously a truly great player but clearly in his head the Davis Cup final is the goal of the year and he will give everything to win. Still I have heard he is playing Paris Bercy on hard court, then practicing on clay before going back to hard court for the World Tour Finals. We all know it’s dangerous to change surface every week.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.