- Title: Argentina's victorious Davis Cup team return to heroes welcome in Buenos Aires
- Date: 30th November 2016
- Summary: EZEIZA, BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE, ARGENTINA (NOVEMBER 29, 2016) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** VARIOUS OF DAVIS CUP TEAM ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE / MEDIA APPLAUDING THEIR ARRIVAL VARIOUS OF TENNIS PLAYERS POSING FOR MEDIA WITH TROPHY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) TEAM CAPTAIN, DANIEL ORSANIC, SAYING: "This victory is also a result of the learning from many things that have happened in the past, good and bad and we should continue to learn. I think we can still continue to improve and this is what we have to focus on, but this is a triumph for everyone, for this group, for these four players who won the semi-finals and finals and I think it is a great achievement. There is a history behind this that has supported us and that is the tradition of Argentine tennis, and this victory is for all prior team captains and those who are yet to come and to all players who gave their all to win." MORE OF MEDIA APPLAUDING TEAM AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) TENNIS PLAYER, JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO, SAYING: "I can't ask for more. I won the (Olympic) medal, I won this, which is historic. I repeat what I have recently said, I have achieved things throughout my career that have filled me with pride and my dreams came true but with this beautiful cup, I will sleep well. This is the most important year of my life, emotionally speaking, and with tennis. I don't have a coach, I don't have a physical trainer and here I have great teammates and great people who brought the best out of me."
- Embargoed: 15th December 2016 01:12
- Keywords: Davis Cup team Argentina Buenos Aires
- Location: BUENOS AIRES, EZEIZA, BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE, ARGENTINA
- City: BUENOS AIRES, EZEIZA, BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE, ARGENTINA
- Country: Argentina
- Reuters ID: LVA0025AMWZ7N
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Argentina's triumphant 2016 Davis Cup team received a rousing welcome in Buenos Aires on Tuesday (November 29) after clinching their maiden title at the tournament after a spectacular victories against Croatia at the weekend.
The South American nation's spectacular comeback in a 3-2 victory over hosts Croatia in the final won the hearts of fans in Argentina and around the world.
Juan Del Potro fought back from two sets down to beat Marin Cilic 6-7(4) 2-6 7-5 6-4 6-3 before Delbonis swept aside Ivo Karlovic 6-3 6-4 6-2 in the decisive rubber, sparking wild celebrations among several thousand away fans in the Zagreb Arena.
Argentina joined the club of Davis Cup champions after losing all four finals they had previously contested and their dismal record in the title showdown appeared set to continue when Cilic came within a set of clinching Croatia's second title.
Speaking in Buenos Aires, team captain Daniel Orsanic told media that lessons taken from previous matches contributed to the victory.
"This victory is also a result of the learning from many things that have happened in the past, good and bad and we should continue to learn. I think we can still continue to improve and this is what we have to focus on, but this is a triumph for everyone, for this group, for these four players who won the semi-finals and finals and I think it is a great achievement. There is a history behind this that has supported us and that is the tradition of Argentine tennis, and this victory is for all prior team captains and those who are yet to come and to all players who gave their all to win," he said.
Del Potro was regarded by many in Argentina as the hero of the match. The Olympic winner launched a ferocious comeback and played through the fifth set with a broken finger on his left hand.
He described 2016 as a career peak in his tennis career.
"I can't ask for more. I won the (Olympic) medal, I won this, which is historic. I repeat what I have recently said, I have achieved things throughout my career that have filled me with pride and my dreams came true but with this beautiful cup, I will sleep well. This is the most important year of my life, emotionally speaking, and with tennis. I don't have a coach, I don't have a physical trainer and here I have great teammates and great people who brought the best out of me." said Del Potro.
Argentine fans, including the country's former football World Cup winner Diego Maradona in the VIP box, have heaped praises on their country's Davis Cup team.
Upon their arrival home in Buenos Aires, Argentine President Mauricio Macri granted the team a personal audience to extend his congratulations and don the teams own tennis shirt to commemorate their success. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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