Davis Cup World Group Play-Off Media Recap

Media Recap Israel vs. Argentina World Group Play-off September 12-14, 2014 Sunrise (FL) Tennis Club

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Table of Contents

Media Recap Summary

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Media Coverage

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The New York Times

War Sweeps an Israeli’s Davis Cup Swan Song to Florida Sunrise tennis facility to host Israel-Argentia Davis Cup - 53 event

Miami Herald

Internation Tennis Federation forces Israel to play ‘home’ -6 match against Argentina in Sunrise

Associated Press (AP) ‘Home’ A Relative Term For Israel’s Davis Cup Team

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Argentina’s Mayer vs Israel’s Botzer In Davis Cup

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Argentina ties 1-1 With Israel In Davis Cup

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Israel takes 2-1 lead Vs Argentina In Davis Cup

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Argentina Tops Israel In Davis Cup playoff

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Davis Cup Israel Argentina Tennis

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Argentines sweeo away Israelis to advance to 2015 Davis - 20 Cup Tournament

Tennis East Coast Israel-Argentina Davis Cup Day 1 Recap

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South Florida businesses see bennefit from wardriven callcellation of Davis Cup matches in Israel

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The Community Post

Israel’s tennis pros deal with pressure on a daily basis

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Israel hopes to topple favored Argentines in Davis Cup playoff this weekend

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Israel’s Davis Cup ‘home’ matched moved to Sunrise

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Signs of home greet Israel team in Sunrise while facing Argentina in Davis Cup

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Israel takes 2-1 lead with stirring dobles win

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Argentina rallies past Israel for Davis Cup win in Sunrise

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Sun Sentinel

Support Israel’s Davis Cup Tennis Team!

Temple Beth AM Israeli Davis Cup

Israel’s Bar Botzer loses Davis Cup debut, but teammate - 29 Dudi Sela salvages a split with Argentina

Hello Sunny

Dynamic duo Ram and Erlich gove Israel 2-1 lead in Davis Cup playoff series.

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Tennis

Argentina Tops Israel In Davis Cup Playoff

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Davis Cup tennis: Israel vs. Argentina

Weekend at Davis’s

WSVN-TV/Channel 7 (Fox)

‘Home’ a relative term for Israel’s Davis Cup team

Photos: Davis Cup practice begins Israel faces Argentina in Davis Cup Relegation round play in Sunrise

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Davis Cup Tennis Israel vs Argentina

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Twitter

Jewish Journal Davis Cup match moved from Tel Aviv to Sunrise

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Israel Loses Davis Cup tie in Sunrise

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Israel falls to Argentina in relocated Davis Cup Match

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For Israeli tennis ace Andy Ram and ‘home’ crowd in Fla., a finale to remember

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Michelle Kaufman - Miami Herald

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Jack Morgan - Tennis East Coast

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Television Coverage

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Press Releases

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Match Results

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Harvey Fialkov - Sun Sentinel

Media Credentials

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MEDIA RECAP SUMMARY Trifecta Team is proud to present our Media Recap for the 2014 Davis Cup World Play-off tie between Israel and Argentina at the Sunrise (FL) Tennis Club.

As the South Florida public relations agency for the Israel Tennis Association, Trifecta Team officially began work on publicizing the event on September 5, 2014, seven days prior to the first match. Over the next six days Trifecta Team worked to generate pre-event coverage for the matches September 12-14. The media pitches included coverage of media opportunities at the Team Press Conferences on Tuesday, Sept. 9 and the Official Davis Cup Draw Ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 11.

Trifecta Team created and distributed two Media Advisories/Press Releases, numerous customized email pitches and made more than 100 phone calls.

Among those contacted were: -

110 local, regional and national media members

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Multiple Miami-headquartered high-profile CEOs & Professional Sports Team Presidents

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37 Jewish organizations ranging from synagogues, social organizations and schools

Highlights of the pre-event publicity generated included a front-page story in the Miami Herald, a feature story in the New York Times and multiple articles distributed worldwide by the Associated Press. Additionally numerous tweets by writers from the (Ft. Lauderdale) Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald, as well as Trifecta Team, went viral with multiple re-tweets.

The following pages showcase the coverage that the 2014 Davis Cup World Play-off with Israel and Argentina received.

Jack Heilig

Partner, Trifecta Team Jack@TrifectaTeam.com 954-634-2299

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Print & Online Coverage

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September 11, 2014

Miami Herald Front Page Coverage

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BY MICHELLE KAUFMAN September 11, 2014 Page 1 of 2

International Tennis Federation forces Israel to play ‘home’ match against Argentina in Sunrise Israel is listed as the home team for this weekend’s Davis Cup tennis matches against Argentina, but nothing could be further from the truth. The matches are being played in Sunrise, against the Israelis’ wishes, 6,500 miles away from their home stadium.

The Israeli team expected to benefit from home court advantage in Tel Aviv this weekend, as it faces the favored Argentines. The 11,500-seat Nokia Arena was sold out, and Israeli players were eager to provide a joyous distraction to their fans, many of whom spent their summer The Israeli team poses for a picture Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014 in Sunrise, Fla. From left to right: Andy Ram, Yoni Erlich, Dudi Sela, Bar seeking shelter from Hamas missiles as the sound of air-raid sirens blared.

Botzer, captain Eyal Ran.ISRAEL TENNIS ASSOCIATION Instead, the Israelis had to fly 14 hours to their “home’’ matches at the Sunrise Tennis Center because the International Tennis Federation ruled last month that the event could not be held in Tel Aviv because of the unrest in Gaza and instability in the region.

They required the Israel Tennis Association to move the event to a neutral site, which did not sit well with Israeli officials and players, who appealed to move the matches to another Israeli city and pleaded with the ITF to wait until late August to make their decision. Their appeals were denied.

“I am very disappointed in the decision to play here and not in Israel,” said veteran player Andy Ram, who is retiring after this weekend and wanted his farewell match to be in front of Israeli fans.

“They took away our home advantage, but I can’t keep complaining. We’re here, and we have to focus on our matches now.”

Ram’s doubles partner, Jonathan “Yoni“ Erlich, said the team considered boycotting.

“In a way, it is a lose-lose situation for us,” said Erlich, who was born in Argentina and moved to Israel as a baby. “We lost our home advantage. At first, my thought was, ‘Screw it. I don’t want to travel 20 hours to play my home match.’ But if we don’t show up because we think it’s not fair, we give the win to Argentina, and the terrorists win, too. By making us move, they also win, but at least we will show the world we are strong and we are fighters.”

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Page 2 of 2 Argentine captain Martin Jaite, who is Jewish, said their team would not discuss the ITF decision.

Argentine player Leonardo Mayer regrets the matches were moved because he said he was looking forward to visiting Israel and playing in front of the spirited Israeli fans.

The Israelis were given a week to find a new venue. They figured if they can’t play at home, they would do the next-best thing — play in a familiar place with a large Jewish community.

They considered New York and Los Angeles, but Sunrise seemed the perfect compromise. Most of the Israeli players had competed in South Florida, they had a good relationship with Sunrise club director Gabe Norona, and they have contacts in the South Florida Jewish community.

Although there are also many Argentines in South Florida — some of them Jewish — the Israeli team is hoping to see lots of Star of David flags waving from the stands.

“It’s not ideal, but we tried to create lemonade with life’s lemons,” said Vadik Drozdovski, Marketing Vice President of the Israeli Tennis Association. “The City of Sunrise has worked 24/7, bent over backwards for us, and we are very grateful.”

Sunrise Mayor Michael Ryan said at a press conference Thursday: “We are keenly aware of the circumstances that brought this event here. We know the Israeli team would have preferred to play at home, in front of the home fans. But we celebrate their presence here, and we seek to make it their home away from home.”

Drozdovski feels the decision to move was premature.

“We feel very upset that the tie was taken away from Israel,” he said. “We feel we could have played it with perfect conditions in Israel right now. We could have maintained the safety of the players. But we also understand the Argentine team was concerned. It’s not their regular reality the way we live it, so obviously, when you look from outside, you say safety first.”

Drozdovski, like Erlich, views the move as a victory for Hamas.

“The terrorists win with this decision, and that’s the most terrible aspect, when terrorist organizations create conditions in which citizens, culture and sport suffer, people who have nothing to do with fighting, people who only want to live their lives and try to maintain a normal way of life in spite of everything,” he said. “This hurts all over Israel. It’s a huge financial blow and a huge moral blow.

This is when you say, I wish the international community would be more understanding of our situation in Israel. We’re really fighting to maintain normal life, and these kinds of things are always demoralizing.”

For ticket information, call 954-816-4491, or go to www.SunriseDavisCup.com The Sunrise Tennis Club is at 9605 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Matches begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/tennis/article2072023.html#storylink=cpy

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BY MICHELLE KAUFMAN September 4, 2014

Israel’s Davis Cup ‘home’ match moved to Sunrise The Israeli Davis Cup team, forced to move its home matches against Argentina because of security concerns, chose a place that will feel almost like home — Sunrise Tennis Club.

The Sept. 12-14 World Group playoff matches were supposed to be held in Tel Aviv, but the International Tennis Federation required the event be moved because of the Gaza conflict and instability in the region.

Asaf Touchmair, chairman of the Israeli Tennis Association, said: “We made every effort, knowing full well the great value of a ‘home’ tie and the strong support from the tennis fans in Israel, who pack the stadium, to find a suitable location to host this prestigious event so that our Davis Cup team could feel comfortable and well-supported.

“We are aware that the Jewish communities in the Florida area are true and genuine supporters of Israel, and therefore it was of huge importance to the Israeli Tennis Association to choose a location in Florida, where we could ensure that the stadium would be packed to capacity over three days, creating a home atmosphere for our Davis Cup team.’’

There also happen to be many Argentine fans in South Florida, including Argentine Jews, so it should make for a festive atmosphere. The Israeli roster includes Dudi Sela, Amir Weintraub, Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich. Argentina players are Leonardo Mayer, Juan Monaco, Carlos Berlocq and Horacio Zeballos.

It will be the first time since 1990 that the nations will meet in Davis Cup competition.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/tennis/article1988279. html#storylink=cpy

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BY MICHELLE KAUFMAN September 12, 2014 Page 1 of 4

Signs of home greet Israel team in Sunrise while facing Argentina in Davis Cup Exactly Tel Aviv, but the Israeli Davis Cup team was greeted with some elements of home Friday as it split its first two matches against Argentina in the best-of-5 weekend series.

The weather was hot. Security was heavy. Scores were announced in Hebrew before English.

Fans — some decked out in blue and white, others in traditional black Orthodox suits and hats — danced to Israeli music while waving Star of David flags. One fan blew a giant blue vuvuzela to the staccato notes of a “Shofar,” the ram’s horn that is part of the Jewish High Holy Day services.

Israel was officially the “home” team, as the event was originally scheduled to be held at soldout Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv. But the International Tennis Federation relocated it because of security concerns following the recent unrest in Gaza.

Unlike Tel Aviv, where a partisan Israeli crowd of 11,500 was expected, the audience at the Sunrise Tennis Center numbered closer to 2,000, and a large chunk of them were rooting for Argentina. The Argentine fans, dressed in sky blue-and-white-striped soccer jerseys, serenaded their team with “Ole-Ole-Ola, Argentina va ganar!”

The first match was between 25th-ranked Argentine Leonardo Mayer and 776th-ranked Davis Cup rookie Bar Botzer, a gregarious 20-year-old who serves in the Israeli Army and had never played best-of-5 or faced a top-200 player. Despite the gap in ranking and experience, Botzer kept Mayer off balance and managed to win the second set before Mayer’s experience and fitness took over.

Mayer won 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.

“I had great fun, the time of my life,” Botzer said. “It doesn’t matter winning or losing; I really enjoyed playing. I handled the pressure in a good way, played a decent match, wasn’t too nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. I thought maybe he would serve bombs and I won’t see the ball, or rip shots and I won’t be able to play. But I felt comfortable out there. … I feel a boost of confidence for my future that I can compete in this level.”

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Botzer, who replaced the injured Amir Weintraub, said it was a lifelong dream to represent Israel in the Davis Cup. “I had goose bumps during the national anthem,” he said. “I felt the people at home through the camera. Even when the Argentine fans were singing, I enjoyed that as well.”

Mayer had never heard of Botzer and wasn’t sure what to expect.

“It was difficult,” Mayer said. “If you look just at the rankings, there’s a huge difference, but you still have to play the match and win three sets. It was complicated to play him because his shots aren’t hit as cleanly as the players I’m used to playing, so it was hard to get in a rhythm. Also, it was like an oven out there, and that can be an equalizer.”

After winning the second set, Botzer took a medical break to check out a leg twinge, and Mayer said that timeout allowed him to regroup. He cruised in the final two sets.

“It was nice to get into the air conditioning and relax,” Mayer said. “After that, I played more calmly, took fewer risks, and over the course of the entire match our difference in experience showed.”

Mayer will return to the ATP Tour once Davis Cup is over. Botzer goes back to the Israeli Army.

“In two or three weeks, I am going back to the Army, uniform, everything,” he said. “I’ve been in the Army two years, so I’m used to going back and forth. My boss in the Army was watching the match. I talked to him [Thursday night]. Dudi [Sela] told my boss he shouldn’t make me work so hard when I go back and then [my boss] said if I blew it, I’m going to go to jail.”

Sela, ranked 84th, played No.67 Carlos Berlocq in the second match, which was interrupted by a two-hour rain delay. It was a rematch of the U.S. Open first-round match a few weeks ago, which Sela won. The Israeli prevailed again, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-2.

Sela was serving at 5-4 in the second set, lost the game, then led 3-0 in the second-set tiebreak only to lose the set. He needed three break points to win the fourth game of the fourth set.

The doubles teams face off at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, and the reverse singles matches are Sunday.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/tennis/article2095395. html#storylink=cpy

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Argentina's Leonardo Mayer celebrates after defeating Israel's Bar Tzuf Botzer 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a Davis Cup tennis match, Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, in Sunrise, Fla.J PAT CARTER/AP

Israel's Bar Tzuf Botzer returns the ball to Argentina's Leonardo Mayer during a Davis Cup tennis match, Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, in Sunrise, Fla.J PAT CARTER/AP

Argentina's Leonardo Mayer returns the ball to Israel's Bar Tzuf Botzer during a Davis Cup tennis match, Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, in Sunrise, Fla.J PAT CARTER/AP

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Israel's Bar Tzuf Botzer returns the ball to Argentina's Leonardo Mayer, during a Davis Cup tennis match, Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, in Sunrise, Fla.J PAT CARTER/AP

Argentina's Leoanardo Mayer returns the ball to Israel's Bar Truf Botzer, during a Davis Cup tennis match, Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, in Sunrise, Fla.J PAT CARTER/AP

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Israel takes 2-1 lead with stirring doubles win

BY WALTER VILLA September 14, 2014 Page 1 of 3

Andy Ram lay on the court, weeping.

When he wouldn’t — or, overcome by emotion, couldn’t — get up, 10 or so of his Israeli Davis Cup teammates and supporters lifted him up and threw him in the air, catching him and flinging him again and again and again.

That was the scene on Saturday afternoon at the Sunrise Tennis Center, where Israel — thanks to the veteran doubles team of Ram and Jonathan Erlich — took a 2-1 lead over Argentina in a bestof-5 World Group playoff tie.

Erlich and Ram defeated Argentina’s Federico Delbonis and Horacio Zeballos, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in a tight match that took 31/2 hours to complete.

Marathon victory: Israel’s Jonathan Erlich watches as doubles partner Andy Ram, foreground, hits a return during Saturday’s 3 1/2-hour 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win against Argentina.J PAT CARTER/AP

This was the 28th Davis Cup tie for Ram — an Israeli record — and his last. Ram, 34, announced earlier this year that this would be his final season of pro tennis.

“All the memories of Davis Cup with Jonathan just attacked me, and I couldn’t stop crying like a baby,” Ram said of his post-match emotions. “I had no more energy — zero.”

Ram, who pulled a muscle in his left leg with Israel leading 4-2 in the fifth set, was forced to serve ever-so-slowly in the final game of the match.

Argentina hammered his weak serves, but Erlich was able to repeatedly make amazing volleys to save Israel.

“There were missiles coming at me,” Erlich joked. “I tried not to get killed.”

Ram said a similar thing happened once before when he and Erlich played in Japan.

“It’s not the first time Jonathan has had to play alone,” Ram joked.

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Saturday’s match was played in 91-degree heat that felt like 102.

Certainly, Israel has turned up the heat on favored Argentina, the world’s fourth-ranked Davis Cup team.

Israel, ranked 19th, needs only to win one of the two matches on Sunday to win the tie and advance to the 16-team main draw for the 2015 Davis Cup. In that scenario, Argentina would play next year in World Group II. Sunday’s matchups will pit Argentina’s No.1 player, Leonardo Mayer, against Israel’s No.1, Dudi Sela, followed by Argentina’s No.2 Carlos Berlocq vs. Israel’s No.2 Bar Botzer.

In Friday’s action, Mayer beat Botzer, and Sela defeated Berlocq.

Sela, perhaps the most impressive player on Friday, would seem to be Israel’s best hope of winning the tie as opposed to the 20-year-old Botzer, who is ranked No.776 and is playing in his first Davis Cup weekend.

In Saturday’s match, Israel broke Zeballos’ serve to go up 3-1, a decisive moment in the fifth set. Zeballos also hit the game’s final shot into the net, touching off Ram’s emotional display.

Erlich and Ram, who are now 19-5 when playing Davis Cup together, are the best doubles team in their nation’s history.

Ironically, Erlich, 37, was born in Argentina, and Ram is a native of another South American country, Uruguay. But they had no qualms about beating Argentina on Saturday.

In fact, Ram’s mother flew in from Israel to support her son.

“I left home when I was 14 [to play tennis],” Ram said. “She didn’t see me for many years. I was very happy she could come [Saturday].”

For Argentina, Delbonis, 23, was making his Davis Cup debut. In singles last year, he beat Roger Federer in the semifinals of the German Open, but Delbonis is just 7-17 in doubles on the ATP Tour.

Zeballos, 29, has more experience than his partner. He is 4-3 in Davis Cup matches, and he beat Rafael Nadal in singles in 2013. He has made two Grand Slam semifinals in doubles — the 2010 U.S. Open and 2013 French Open.

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But this was just the second time Delbonis and Zeballos have played together. And Zeballos has little experience playing next to a left-hander such as Delbonis.

“We knew that being down one was possible,” Argentina captain Martin Jaite said, “and maybe even logical. I’m not surprised.”

Argentina is now in a hole. It has been 24 years since Argentina has come back from a deficit to win a Davis Cup tie.

Meanwhile, Israel, which was forced to move the match from Tel Aviv to South Florida due to safety concerns, is feeling confident.

Sunrise is not quite home for Israel, but their hearts were certainly present on Saturday.

“In Davis Cup,” Ram said, “you put your whole heart into it.”

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/tennis/article2103583. html#storylink=cpy

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BY MICHELLE KAUFMAN September 14, 2014 Page 1 of 4

Argentina rallies past Israel for Davis Cup win in Sunrise When it was all over, when the fifth and deciding match was finally clinched on a sweltering Sunday afternoon in Sunrise, it was the Argentine team — not the “host’’ Israelis — jumping up and down celebrating, dumping Gatorade on each other, and dancing with their highenergy fans, who sang their lungs out all weekend long.

Carlos Berlocq, of Argentina, hugs a teammate after defeating Bar Tzuf Botzer, of Irsael during Davis Cup tennis play in Sunrise, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. Berlocq won 2-6, 3-6, 0-6.J PAT CARTER/AP

The favored Argentines rallied from down 2-1 in the best-of-5 Davis Cup Group Playoff series and won both Sunday singles matches in straight sets. Leonardo Mayer defeated Dudi Sela 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 in the first match, keeping Argentina’s hopes alive. Carlos “Charly’’ Berlocq then sealed it in the rubber match with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 victory over Davis Cup rookie Bar Botzer.

Berlocq was so overcome with emotion he ripped open his shirt, like the Incredible Hulk, and roared. It has become a tradition, Berlocq said, after winning big Davis Cup matches.

Argentina advances to the world final 16, which competes for the 2015 Davis Cup title. Israel is relegated to the consolation group playoff bracket.

“I am human, so before the match I was thinking about how critical it was, how I didn’t want to lose and have our team relegated, but I am a professional tennis player and trained to manage my nerves, to play under pressure, and I’m very proud of the result,’’ Berlocq said.

For Israel, it was a sad end to a complicated and emotional weekend. It was officially Israel’s home event. The matches were scheduled to be held in Tel Aviv at a sold-out 11,500-seat Nokia Arena. But the International Tennis Federation required the event be moved because of security concerns following the unrest in Gaza. Sunrise was chosen because of the area’s large Jewish population and because the Israeli team had connections with the Sunrise Tennis Club.

Crowds numbered around 2,000, and while the audience was pro-Israel in numbers, the Argentine fans made up for it with their volume and chants.

“We feel disappointed because we put ourselves into a great position, and were where we

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wanted to be in the last day,’’ said Israel captain Yael Ram. “We showed a lot of courage, and played good tennis.

“But credit to the Argentineans — Leonardo Mayer for his performance. He was very aggressive from the first moment, serving unbelievable. It was tough to find holes in his game. I am still proud of Dudi for coming and trying. For sure wasn’t his best day, but he’s the one who put us in this position. For Bar, it’s tough to play best-of-5 five, deciding match.

He’s young.’’

Botzer, 20, is ranked No.776 in the world, and had never played a Top 200 player or best-of-5 format before this weekend. He admitted his lack of experience and fitness hurt him against 67th-ranked Berlocq, 31.

“I was sitting in the locker room watching Dudi, really hoping he could do his job, then I wouldn’t have to play,’’ Botzer said. “Once I saw the result, I was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s all on my shoulders, pressure’s all on me.’ I tried to tell myself he will be more nervous than me because I’m playing a Top 100 and he’s playing me, 700-something, so pressure was on him.

He played the same from the start to finish, and I need to learn to do that.’’

Botzer felt the Tel Aviv crowd may have helped energize his team.

“For sure, the crowd is the X-factor when we play at home, and it really is a huge difference,’’ he said. “The Argentinean fans were really good through whole time, really pushed their team. I wish we could have the same feeling if we were playing at home.’’

Mayer, who is ranked No.25, overpowered 84th-ranked Sela from the start, served 13 aces to zero, and had 40 winners to seven for Sela.

“He had a lot of energy, and I did not, I was feeling pressure and tired,’’ Sela said. “When you are tired and a guy is playing very good, it is very difficult. I was without power. If you put [retired Argentinean Mariano] Zabaleta in there, I would also lose.’’

“Dudi just wasn’t there today,’’ said Shlomo Glickstein, CEO of the Israeli Tennis Association.

“He was very apathetic, didn’t fight enough, couldn’t rise to the occasion and make the other guy work a little bit harder. It’s very disappointing for me. [Mayer’s] a better player, obviously. He did better this year. But I felt if Dudi stayed there, longer points, and tried to put more balls into the court he would have had a much closer match.’’

Told that Sela said he would have lost to Zabaleta, Mayer replied: “I respect Sela, but I gave him a beating, and sometimes you have to just say, ‘The other player was better than me.’’’

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/tennis/article2108395. html#storylink=cpy

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Dudi Sela, of Israel, returns the ball to Leonardo Mayer, of Argentina, during Davis Cup tennis play in Sunrise, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014.J PAT CARTER/AP

Dudi Sela, of Israel, returns the ball to Leonardo Mayer, of Argentina, during a Davis Cup tennis match in Sunrise, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014.J PAT CARTER/AP

Leonardo Mayer, of Argentina, returns the ball to Dudi Sela, of Israel, during a Davis Cup tennis match in Sunrise, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014.J PAT CARTER/AP

Leonardo Mayer, of Argentina, reacts after defeating Dudi Sela, of Israel, during a Davis Cup tennis match in Sunrise, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014.J PAT CARTER/AP

Carlos Berlocq, of Argentina, rips off his shirt for fans after defeating Bar Tzuf Botzer, of Israel, during Davis Cup tennis play in Sunrise, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. Berlocq won 2-6, 3-6, 0-6.J PAT CARTER/AP

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Carlos Berlocq, of Argentina, reacts after defeating Bar Tzuf Botzer, of Irsael, during Davis Cup tennis play in Sunrise, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. Berlocq won 2-6, 3-6, 0-6.J PAT CARTER/AP

Carlos Berlocq, of Argentina, celebrates after defeating Bar Tzuf Botzer, of Israel, during Davis Cup tennis play in Sunrise, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014.J PAT CARTER/AP

Carlos Berlocq, of Argentina, rips his shirt off after defeating Bar Tzuf Botzer, of Irsael during Davis Cup tennis play in Sunrise, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. Berlocq won 2-6, 3-6, 0-6.J PAT CARTER/AP

Carlos Berlocq, of Argentina, reacts after defeating Bar Tzuf Botzer, of Irsael during Davis Cup tennis play in Sunrise, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. Berlocq won 2-6, 3-6, 0-6.J PAT CARTER/AP

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By Harvey Fialkov August 15, 2014

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Sunrise tennis facility to host Israel-Argentina Davis Cup event Davis Cup committee and International Tennis Federation approves Sunrise Tennis Club to host three-day event Sept. 12-14 Game, set, match goes to the city of Sunrise, which beat out Delray Beach and a few other sites to host the upcoming Davis Cup event between Israel and Argentina.

The International Tennis Federation, the ruling body over Davis Cup, wouldn't allow Israel to host the World Group relegation tie in Tel Aviv from Sept. 12-14 because of the country's ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Pavel Lisovtsev, the deputy director of the Israel Tennis Association, visited the Sunrise Tennis Club on Sunday and the Delray Beach Tennis Center on Monday. He then flew to Los Angeles where he checked out the Stubhub Center 32-court facility, according to a source close to the situation. Lisovtsev told the Davis Cup committee and ITF on Thursday that he preferred the Sunrise venue. The Argentines approved the site as well.

Gabe Norona, 57, the owner of Enterprise Tennis which runs the Sunrise Tennis Club, received approval to host the event on a phone call from a Davis Cup committee member on Friday at 1:30 p.m. “I'm totally excited and happy to help the cause,'' said Norona, who played tennis for St. Thomas Aquinas in the '70s. “I'm passionate about tennis, and to host a sporting event like this and for a humanitarian cause is a dream.''

Norona, who founded the defunct ATP BMW Championship challenger from 2004-10 which was held in the Sunrise facility, said that details about seating capacity and ticket information are forthcoming. The BMW seated 2,000 and Norona said he could put in 5,000 seats if needed in a matter of two weeks.

Norona has close ties with agents and professional players, such as his close friend, Dudi Sela, Israel's top-ranked player at No. 84. Norona said that security will be no problem. He said the ITA chose Sunrise because of the large Jewish and Argentine population in South Florida.

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Sunrise spokeswoman Christine Pfeffer said the city is “absolutely supportive” of the matches being played here.

“We’re very excited to have this event in the city,” Pfeffer said. There is nothing specific so far regarding city contributions to the event.

“I would expect us to do additional things,” Pfeffer said. “Right now, we don’t have that determined.”

The Police Department is committed to providing security to residents and any visitors to the facility during the event, she said. Any additional security operations are still to be worked out, she said.

Delray officials were disappointed at the decision, but pleased the city was in the running.

“It was a true honor to be considered a finalist by the Israeli Davis Cup team,” Commissioner Adam Frankel said. “It is because of [Delray Tennis Center official] Mark Baron and his entire staff that enabled Delray Beach to be considered as a finalist for such a great and important opportunity. I hope nothing but a tremendous event and hope everyone in the city of Delray Beach and all of South Florida go down and support them in the city of Sunrise.”

This is the 104th running of the Davis Cup , an annual event in which this year 122 countries competed for the Dwight Davis Trophy and the title of being the best tennis-playing nation in the world.

Based on the previous year’s results, the 16 top countries are seeded and placed in the World Group. The two remaining semifinals will pit the Czech Republic against France and Italy versus Switzerland, who features Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka.

The remaining countries who lost their first-round matches such as Israel and Argentina, are then divided into three regional zones. They’re playing in the World Group playoffs to get back into the top 16 mix next year.

The best-of-five format between two competing nations it called a tie. It consists of two singles matches on Friday, a doubles match on Saturday and two reverse singles on Sunday.

All matches are best-of-five sets with no tiebreakers in the fifth set. Teams can have a minimum of three players and a maximum of five.

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Florida has a long history of hosting Davis Cup ties, but never one without the United States.

The Americans clinched the 1990 title with a 3-2 win over Australia in St. Petersburg. In 1989, the U.S. swept Paraguay 5-0 in Fort Myers.

Delray Beach hosted a World Group quarterfinal won 4-1 by the U.S. over Sweden in 2004 and most recently, the U.S. edged Brazil 3-2 in a 2013 first round meeting in Jacksonville.

According to the Davis Cup website, this is only the third meeting between Argentina and Israel, with Argentina holding a 2-0 advantage. The sides have not met for 24 years, with Argentina winning 3-0 on their last encounter in the World Group first round in Buenos Aires in 1990. Argentina is looking to retain its place in the World Group for the 14th successive year, while Israel is looking for a return to the top division after a year’s absence.

Israel’s team is expected to consist of Sela, Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram, while Argentina will probably go with Juan Monaco, Carlos Berlocq and a doubles tandem of Eduardo Schwank and Horacio Zeballos.

Israel, the host country, gets to select the balls and court surface. Tennis observers know that Argentina, even without its top player Juan Martin del Potro, is a powerhouse on clay, so Sunrise's five hard courts would be ideal for Israel, a clear underdog in the matchup.

They only need the center court for the best-of-five matches, but need two more hard courts for practice. A contingent from the ITF is expected to inspect the Sunrise facility next week, but Norona said he was told that was a mere formality and that it's a done deal.

Staff writers Larry Barszewski and Marisa Gottesman contributed to this report. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/tennis/fl-davis-cup-sunrise-0815-20140814-story.html

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By RON HURTIBISE September 9, 2014 Page 1 of 2

South Florida businesses see benefit from wardriven cancellation of Davis Cup matches in Israel South Florida businesses are getting extra work and income for helping to stage this weekend's hastily planned Davis Cup matches in Sunrise after Israel's war with Hamas forced the event's cancelation in Tel Aviv.

SUNRISE – War chased this weekend's Davis Cup tennis playoffs out of an 11,700-seat venue in Tel Aviv, Israel, and stuffed it into this western Broward County city's municipal tennis center.

For fans and planners in Israel, the cancellation is another numbing example of how fighting destroys work and play.

For South Florida businesses hastily enlisted to help stage the event, the disruption brings extra work and income, despite the tragic circumstances.

Citing potential danger connected to the summer's fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, the International Tennis Federation in early August canceled the planned Davis Cup playoffs in Tel Aviv and allowed Israel, as host nation, to choose a replacement venue.

Israel chose Sunrise because South Florida's large Jewish community gives it the best opportunity to replicate a home-court environment, said Vadik Drozdovski spokesman for the Israel Tennis Association.

Several area event contractors answered last-minute calls to build the venue for the three-day series of matches between teams from Israel and Argentina that begin on Friday.

The Israeli Tennis Association is spending about $400,000 on security, grandstands, insurance, catering, hotel rooms and television broadcast services to beam matches to Israel and Agentina, said Jack Heilig, a Plantation-based spokesman for the Israel Tennis Association.

Sunrise Tennis Center manager Gabe Norona, who has been overseeing the preparations, expects about 50 to 60 local residents will work each day of the event.

San Francisco Puffs & Stuff Inc., a Fort Lauderdale-based caterer, is handling all concessions and VIP catering. Owner Sharon Shortt said the extra work couldn't have come at a better time for her and 20 contracted workers. "This is a really slow time of year," Shortt said. "After

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July 4, people usually don't do (outdoor) events because it's so hot and rainy."

Hialeah-based Scafform Events Services dispatched a 10-member team early this week to erect three sets of spectator bleachers around the center's main court, plus canopies to shade fans in the north, south and west sections.

Gabe Rispoli Jr., Scafform’s managing director, said it was a challenge to fit 2,500 seats around a municipal court that normally has no grandstands. “This is twice as big as anything I’ve done in this small facility,” he said. “It’s crammed in here.”

Hospitality tents were rented from Hollywood-based Sunshine Tents & Event Rentals. The court was repainted to the Israeli team’s specifications by Delray Beach-based Pro Courts.

Kent Security Services, headquartered in North Miami, is providing security inside the venue, Norona said.

Area hotels shouldn’t see much of a bump because few ticketholders in Israel were expected to book overseas trips with such short notice, Novoro said. Organizers are counting on local tennis fans with ties to Israel and Argentina to show up and support those countries’ fourmember pro teams About 1,600 tickets had been sold through Tuesday, Norona said. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/fl-davis-cup-impact-20140909-story.html

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By Harvey Fialkov September 9, 2014, Page 1 of 2

Israel's tennis pros deal with pressure on a daily basis Davis Cup match against Argentina is easy compared with leaving families during recent Israeli-Hamas conflict SUNRISE — — During this rainy South Florida summer, hundreds of recreational tennis players get annoyed when hearing the ever-present blast from the pesky, yet necessary, lightning detector sirens that force them off their neighborhood courts.

It pales in comparison when considering how their Israeli counterparts must have felt during the recently concluded seven-week conflict with Hamas, when a far more ominous-sounding code red, air-raid siren would constantly blare throughout their streets.

"It's not easy,'' said Israel's top-ranked player, Dudi Sela, after Tuesday's practice in preparation for this weekend's Davis Cup relegation match-up against the heavily favored Argentines at Sunrise Tennis Club.

"I had an [application] on my phone that you see all the time when the alarm is on, so every time in the night or day … my wife would call me, [saying] 'It's OK, it's not close to us.' '' Sela, like his teammates, make their living on the road, so leaving his newlywed wife, Marina and their sixmonth-old son, Elay, at home, makes it even tougher.

"It's not easy for nobody in Israel,'' added Sela. "You're in a panic when it happens, but you feel safe during the day. I lived before in the north of Israel in Kiryat, Shmona, so I'm used to it. It was worse. We didn't have the 'Iron Dome' at that time. It's never easy, but we're dealing with it.''

Nearly 5 million Israelis were in range of Hamas' M-75 missiles and they basically had 60 seconds to get to a shelter or a concrete-enclosed safe room, which is now mandatory in new homes.

Fortunately for all parties involved, the conflict came to an end — for now — on Aug. 26.

The International Tennis Federation, the ruling body of Davis Cup competition, deemed a month ago that the Israel Tennis Association couldn't guarantee the safety of the players, fans and officials during the Gaza conflict. So they decided that the match had to be moved out of Israel, where the 11,000-seat Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv was already 75 percent sold out.

The ATP also canceled the mid-September inaugural Negrev Israel Open in Tel Aviv that would've been the first tour event in Israel since 1996.

Shlomo Glickstein, CEO of the ITA, has five children and one on the way, so he knows about the never-ending stress placed on families living in war zones.

"It's tragic and affects everybody,'' said Glickstein, once ranked 22nd in 1982. "It's impossible to live like this. …

We're talking about kids from 2 to 5. I don't know how it's going to affect them the rest of their lives.''

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That said, Glickstein is still angry that the ITF rejected his Aug. 12 appeal to hold off on its decision to move the match out of Israel.

"Five weeks ago it was a reasonable decision,'' Glickstein said. "Ridiculously, I had five minutes to present my case. I told them I had a site in Tel Aviv, one in Haifa and one in the United States; just bear with us until the end of August and not to regret their decision in two weeks.

"I told them how important home-field advantage is, especially in Davis Cup, and what it means to Israel, especially after this war.''

Glickstein added that he and the Israeli team are thrilled with the Sunrise site and the hospitality shown by everyone. Although the facility seats only 2,500, a large contingent of South Florida-based Israelis and Jews are expected to show up this weekend.

Israeli doubles specialist Jonathan Erlich considered boycotting the event but had a change of heart once he realized this could be his final match with longtime partner Andy Ram, 34, who has announced his retirement after this tie.

"I felt we didn't need to back down from the situation, and we need to put as much pressure on the ITF and not make it in a neutral place, at least wait as long as possible,'' said Erlich. 37, who took his wife and two young children with him on tour this summer once the conflict heated up. "Our position at a certain stage was to not show up and make a statement.

"Speaking with the association and team I thought about the big picture and how important it is to win the point for the future of tennis in Israel and get back to the World Group. I grew up a little bit emotionally.''

Ram and Erlich, who have won 15 doubles titles together, including the 2008 Australian Open title, are national heroes in Israel and were anticipating a rousing farewell in Tel Aviv.

"My dream was to play in front of 11,000 people screaming our names,'' Ram said. "I was upset. I thought we let the terrorists win in a way because in Israel we try to lead a normal life. Especially now, we could host the Olympics, not only the Davis Cup, it's so peaceful in Israel.

"But we're going to be the best team with Florida's Jewish community supporting us, and we're going to do it.'' http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-09-09/sports/fl-davis-cup-israeli-players-0910-20140909_1_israeltennis-association-tel-aviv-itf

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By Harvey Fialkov September 11, 2014 Page 1 of 2

Israel hopes to topple favored Argentines in Davis Cup playoff this weekend Argentina is missing 2009 U.S. Open champ Juan Martin del Potro while Israel is without No. 2 singles player Amir Weintraub SUNRISE — At a rail-thin 5-foot-9, Dudi Sela, Israel's top-ranked player has assumed the David and Goliath role before, so he knows what his overmatched Davis Cup squad is up against in this weekend's World Group playoff against mighty Argentina at the Sunrise Tennis Club.

Just this summer, the 84th-ranked Sela reached his second career ATP final in Atlanta but fell in straight sets to America's Davis Cup stalwart, the 6-foot-10 John Isner. In his two previous tournament stops in Bogota and Newport, R.I., Sela, ranked 29th in 2009, was sent packing by the hard-serving 6-11 Croate, Ivo Karlovic.

Now, Sela and his teammates will begin this weekend's tie on Friday against an Argentinian squad that has reached the Davis Cup finals four times, most recently in 2008 and '11 where they lost to Spain. Three of their four players are ranked in the top 100, including Leonardo Mayer, who's at a career-best 25th, No. 59 Federico Delbonis and No. 67 Carlos Berlocq. In addition, half of their doubles team, Horacio Zeballos, is ranked 112th, but was ranked 39th in singles last year.

"For both Israel and Argentina it's important,'' said Sela, who's 17-18 in Davis Cup play. "We want to go back to the World Group and they want to stay in the World Group. It won't be easy as they have four guys in the top 100 and a good doubles team.''

These two countries are in the same position as the United States team, who's playing Slovakia in Chicago this weekend, also for the right to get out of the loser's bracket to vie for the Davis Cup in 2015.

Argentina, stunned by Italy in the first round, is hoping to reach the World Group bracket for the 14th consecutive year, while Israel hopes to return after a year's absence and five years since their improbable semifinal run.

Sun Sentinel 2014 football previews Israel is 0-2 against Argentina in Davis Cup but they haven't met since 1990. Israel lost most of its homecourt advantage since the ITF wouldn't allow them to play before 11,000 in Tel

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Aviv because of the recently concluded war with Hamas, although they do expect plenty of support from the large Jewish population in South Florida.

"We were not happy to lose the home advantage," Israel captain Eyal Ran said. "It's already behind us now. Right now, this is a home away from home."

Two potential advantages for Israel is the hard-court surface, generally an equalizer against the clay-court loving Argentines, and that Sela won't have to face another giant in the 6-6 Juan Martin del Potro, as the 2009 U.S. Open champion remains out with a wrist injury.

"It's good, I've played [three] giants in a row, with Karlovic [twice] and Isner,'' laughed Sela.

Sela said he will enter Friday's second singles match against Berlocq with confidence after just defeating him in four sets in the U.S. Open. However, a chronic groin injury to Israel's No. 2 singles player, Amir Weintraub (7-5 in Davis Cup), has forced Ran to insert 20-year-old rookie Bar Tzuf Botzer in against Mayer, the hottest player on both teams with a 24-14 mark in 2014 to kick off the proceedings at 11:30 a.m.

"I'm very happy for the tournament I won and that motivates me and gives me the strength to strive for more,'' said Mayer, who won his first ATP title in Hamburg in July.

In doubles, Israel should be favored with Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram, who are 19-7 in Davis Cup as well as being the 2008 Australian Open champions, against a generally new union of Zeballos and Delbonis.

"Obviously, we're not coming in favored for the match but I don't remember the last time we were favored in a Davis Cup tie,'' Erlich said. "We always say we put a lot of heart and soul onto the court ‌ and we have big support from the team.

"This extra drive and patriotism gives us at least half a point every match so we hope to come in and win this tie.'' http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/tennis/fl-davis-cup-israel-argentina-0912-20140911story.html

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By Harvey Fialkov September 12, 2014 Page 1 of 2

Israel's Bar Botzer loses Davis Cup debut, but teammate Dudi Sela salvages a split with Argentina SUNRISE — A lot was on the line for Israel's Davis Cup rookie Bar Botzer, a substitute for the more accomplished Amir Weintraub, as he kicked off this weekend's World Group playoff round against the heavily favored Argentines.

A victory in his first Davis Cup appearance meant a critical point for his country in the best-of-five match format that will run through Sunday at the Sunrise Tennis Club. A loss would not only place Israel in a 0-1 hole, but it could mean a spell in the brig when he returns to Israel in three weeks to resume his mandatory two-year hitch in the army.

"I know my [Sergeant Major] was watching and I was talking to him last night with [Dudi Sela, Israel's No. 1 player] and [Dudi] told him he shouldn't work me too hard when I come back,'' smiled Botzer. "Then he said if I blew it I'm going to jail.''

Well, Botzer lost but he certainly didn't blow it and he won't be going to jail. Botzer, ranked 776th, put up a respectable battle before succumbing to the more experienced, 25th-ranked Leonardo Mayer, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 Friday afternoon in front of nearly 2,000 raucous fans, mostly dressed in blue and white, the predominant colors of both nation's flags.

After a two-hour-plus rain delay thinned out the audience, Sela, ranked 84th, held up his end with a 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2 victory over No. 67 Carlos Berlocq to make it 1-1 going into Saturday's pivotal 11:30 a.m. doubles match.

Sela was in complete command, up a set, serving at 5-4 in the second and then leading 3-0 in the tiebreaker before Belocq began to find the range and elicit soccer-like chants of "Ole, Ole, Ole,'' from the Argentine fan base.

However, Sela recaptured the momentum with a critical service break at 3-2 of the third set and then again at 3-2 of the fourth before a Berlocq double fault sent the mostly pro-Israel crowd into a frenzy for his second victory over the Argentine in two weeks.

Botzer has never played in a main draw of an ATP tournament and had never played a best-of-five set match before Friday. He's played in just two Challenger [minor league] events, the first when he was 14 in his hometown of Tel Aviv and the second last week in France.

But there he was, dead-even after two sets, trading bullet, one-handed backhands with Mayer, who at

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27 is having a career best year that included his first title in Hamburg.

Orthodox Jews and members of Chabad waved giant flags, danced in the aisles and blew vuvuzelas as if they were Shofar horns signaling the start of high holy days, and seemed to spur Botzer on while transforming Sunrise into downtown Jerusalem.

"I had this dream, the whole thing, the draw ceremony, the national anthem; I had goosebumps,'' Botzer said. "I really wanted to play for my country and wasn't afraid of this stage.

"Once I had 4-3 with a break point I started feeling like I could win. I actually told my captain on the changeover that I could compete with the guy.''

But it wasn't enough as Mayer used the break after the second set to cool off and readdress his strategy. He came out and began playing more consistently, waiting for Botzer to misfire instead of going for the lines.

"I was much more relaxed, taking the break, coming inside allowed me to unwind and start all over again,'' said Mayer, now 3-3 in Cup play. "I never heard of this player. He didn't play as per his ranking.''

Mayer raced to a 5-0 lead in each of the final two sets as Botzer began to tire from all the baseline retrieving before a backhand pass sealed the deal.

"I had great fun playing the match, the time of my life,'' said Botzer, who had never played anyone ranked below 200. "I didn't know what to expect and I feel a boost of confidence for my future that I can really compete at this level.'' http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-09-09/news/fl-davis-cup-impact-20140909_1_israel-tennisassociation-sunrise-tennis-center-gabe-norona

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By Harvey Fialkov September 13, 2014 Page 1 of 3

Dynamic duo Ram and Erlich give Israel 2-1 lead in Davis Cup playoff series Ram ends career on winning note after a four-hour, five-set victory over Argentine duo of Zeballos and Delbonis SUNRISE — When a gimpy Andy Ram stepped to the line to serve for the pivotal match of Israel's Davis Cup confrontation with the heavily favored Argentines, he tried to block out that it would be for the final time of his storied doubles career playing alongside his best friend, Jonathan Erlich.

Unable to place any pressure on a strained calf muscle that popped at 4-2 of the fifth set, Erlich told Ram to just focus on getting his first serves in, no matter how soft, and he would do the rest at net.

As the Argentine southpaw duo of Horacio Zeballos and Federico Delbonis took turns smashing rocket service returns at Erlich's face, he deflected them for volley winners.

Andy Ram is hoisted into the air by his Israeli teammates after his marathon‌ (Neil Trenk )

After staving off two break points, Erlich's final self-defense parry induced Zeballos to net a backhand, giving the best buds a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory on Saturday afternoon and lift Israel to a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five World Group playoff series.

"I didn't think about it being the last game of my career, just thinking how I'm going to finish this match,'' said Ram, 34, who hasn't played a Tour match since January and has announced his retirement due to a chronic hip issue.

"I was very lucky I had Jonathan next to me. I don't think any other partner in the world could play such a suicide game. He just told me at 5-3 to focus on putting my first serve in and you're not going to touch the ball. That's what happened. He was all over the court.

We're used to those kind of matches, him playing by himself.''

Two double faults by Zeballos gave the Israeli's the early break at 3-1 of the decisive set.

"Yes, in Davis Cup you're more nervous than playing a regular match,'' Zeballos admitted.

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"Those double faults meant a lot in the fifth set. ‌ [Ram's] teammate really helped him out when he was injured.''

The final point set up a raucous celebration in the stands of the Sunrise Tennis Club as nearly 1,500 fans, mostly pro-Israel, banged drums, waved their Star of David flags and chanted Hebrew songs for two of their nation's sports heroes, Andy and Jani.

On court, Erlich leapt in the air screaming while Ram collapsed on his back and began sobbing tears of joy before his teammates lifted him in the air, tossing him up and down as if he was a groom at a Jewish wedding.

Ram said the four-hour match in the heat completely drained him. Then thoughts of his late father, Ami, and his mother, Diana, who was dancing in the stands, as well as Davis Cup memories, 15 doubles titles with Erlich, including the 2008 Australian Open and two ATP Master Series titles, opened the floodgates.

"I lied on the ground and everything was nice, fun, laughing happily and then suddenly I saw the birds in the sky and then at once it attacked me and I started [thinking] of all the memories, all the great moments with Jonathan on and off the court in a unique relationship, not often you find on Tour, except maybe the [Bryan twins].

"I couldn't stop crying like a baby, probably the last match of my career, luckily with Jonathan, finishing such a dramatic match, helping our country maybe go to the World Group.''

The pair, who have been friends for 27 years, were ranked in the Top 10 from 2005-08, and they concluded their sterling Davis Cup career with an 18-5 mark together that included a country-best semifinal run in 2009.

"When it's coming like missiles you don't really think, you just try not to get killed,'' laughed Erlich, 37. "We put all our heart, all the soul, all the body we could and eventually we were really lucky.

"Andy could've given up but he really fought it out.''

Erlich, who was born in Argentina but moved to Israel as a toddler, has no mixed emotions about putting his country in position to vie for the Davis Cup next year while placing his South American friends on the brink of the loser's bracket for the first time since 2002.

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"I always said it would be a dream for me to play against Argentina where my family is from and where I was born so it's a very special tie for me ‌ but my goal is to always win for Israel,'' Erlich said.

The pressure now falls on the sleight shoulders of Dudi Sela, Israel's Davis Cup stalwart and highest-ranked player at No. 84, as he has the chance to clinch the tie in the first reverse singles match against the 25th-ranked Leonardo Mayer at 12:30 p.m. The two have never faced each other.

If Sela falters, the tie comes down to Davis Cup rookie Bar Botzer, ranked 776th, against veteran Carlos Berlocq, No. 67.

"This is the position we wanted to be on the last day, up 2-1,'' Israel captain Eyal Ran said.

"This match today will give us a lot of confidence.

"Dudi is a fantastic Davis Cup player and a big leader on the team. You saw some of his best tennis on Friday and I'm sure he will come back [Sunday] and bring everything he can to the match and find an opportunity to win the tie for us and bring us to World Group.'' http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-09-13/sports/fl-davis-cup-israelargentina-0914-20140913_1_last-match-playoff-series-davis-cup

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By Harvey Fialkov, September 14, 2014 Page 1 of 3

Argentines sweep away Israelis to advance to 2015 Davis Cup tournament Leo Mayer and Carlos Berlocq crush Dudi Sela and Bar Botzer in singles matches to complete comeback at Sunrise Tennis Club SUNRISE — Israel's Davis Cup rookie Bar Botzer was sitting in the makeshift locker room at the Sunrise Tennis Club watching his country's top player Dudi Sela get wiped off the court by Argentina's Leonardo Mayer in Sunday's first singles match, knowing that his nation's hopes of returning to the World Group bracket next year would be up to him.

It was simply too much to ask of a 20-year-old fledgling professional ranked 776th in the world, one who is still in the Israeli army and who before this weekend's World Group playoff round had never played a best-of-five set match or an opponent ranked below 200, let alone the 67th-ranked Carlos Berlocq.

So despite a predominantly pro-Israel crowd of approximately 2,100 that at times turned Sunrise into downtown Tel Aviv, this sun-splashed, hot afternoon belonged to the flagwaving, small yet boisterous contingent of chanting Argentine fans as they watched Mayer and Berlocq absolutely dismantle Sela and Botzer in straight sets to take the matchup, 3-2.

Despite missing its top player, Juan Martin del Potro, who's out with a wrist injury, the fourth-ranked Argentines will return to the World Group next year for the 15th straight year as one of the top 16 teams to compete for the Davis Cup. Israel, ranked 19th, will remain in the consolation bracket for the second straight year.

"I was really hoping [Sela] could do the job so I don't have to play and I was really believing in him but [Mayer] played an unbelievable match,'' said an exhausted Botzer, who exchanged several long rallies with Berlocq but was unable to match the 31-year-old's consistency before falling 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 in 1:47.

"My first reaction was, 'Oh my God, it's all on my shoulders and all the pressure is on me. ‌ But I was trying to tell myself I don't have any pressure, he's going to be more nervous than me, I'm playing a top 100 guy and I'm [776].

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"The difference was his experience and also the physical. He played every point the same from the first point of the match to the last point.''

The last time Argentina came back to win on the final day of a Davis Cup tie was in 1990 when they downed Germany 3-2.

Berlocq, who won his second title in Portugal this year, credited his teammate Mayer, ranked 25th, for setting the tone in the early match in which he routed the 84th-ranked Sela 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 in 1:32 to draw even at 2-2. He also was still upset about losing to Sela on Friday.

"Leo's triumph gave me the strength to make it possible to win,'' said Berlocq, who converted 7-of-8 break points and had just nine unforced errors to Botzer's 23. "I'm professional and can handle myself under stress.''

The 5-foot-9 Sela, who gives away 40 pounds and five inches to Mayer, admitted that the burden of basically having to win his match to get to the World Group, combined with his opponent's overpowering performance sapped his energy and will.

"He was very good but I was without a lot of energy,'' Sela said. "If I was playing [retired assistant captain Mariano Zabaleta] it wouldn't be easy for me. ‌ There was pressure and I was also tight in the legs.''

Mayer, 27, in the midst of a career-best year, closed out the first set with one of his 40 groundstroke winners [to Sela's 7]. Sela seemed resigned to defeat at 1-3 of the second set after Mayer blasted four of his 13 aces to go up 4-1.

"I respect [Sela] but at times you have to admit somebody played better than you,'' said Mayer, now 4-3 in Davis Cup. "It's only a match and if we win, we win, nobody dies. It's like I've been doing all year long.''

As soon as Berlocq's deft, drop volley on match point bounced for the second time, his jumping-bean teammates mobbed him, throwing water at him, while he collapsed on his back before rising for a group hug and sharing the moment with their loyal fans.

"I'm happy Argentina could stay in the World Group and happy with the work we've done in the last three years,'' said Argentina captain Martin Jaite, who's stepping down as his threeyear contract has expired.

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Sunrise Mayor Mike Ryan gave Israel's retiring doubles specialist Andy Ram and his teammates keys to the city, but clearly they would've preferred keys to Tel Aviv, where the round was originally scheduled and where 11,000 fans could've possibly altered the outcome.

"I was a ball boy and a fan there [in a Davis Cup round] and saw the crowd is really the X-factor,'' Botzer said.

Of course, the stellar play of Mayer and Berlocq might've trumped any hometown advantage.

"It's a disappointment,'' Israel captain Eyal Ran said. "I felt we put ourselves in great position [Saturday] for the last day, but it was these guys who put us there with a lot of good hours on court.

"Argentina deserves a lot of credit. Leo, for his performance, he was very aggressive from the first moment and serving unbelievable. It was tough to find holes in his game but I'm still proud of Dudi. It wasn't his best day but he's given so much to the team.

"For Bar, it's a tough match to play a best-of-five deciding match. He's very mature but still young, but I think he performed well. The match was very level on many points but like he said, Berlocq's experience, he could keep the level and raise it when he needed.'' http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/tennis/fl-davis-cup-israel-argentina-0915-20140914story.html

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Photos: Davis Cup practice begins Israel faces Argentina in Davis Cup relegation round play in Sunrise Photo Gallery

Jonathan Erlich, Andy Ram (Robert Duyos, Sun Sentinel/September 9, 2014) Jonathan Erlich, a tennis pro for the Israeli Davis Cup team, at left, smiles alongside lng time doubles partner, Andy Ram, at right, during a press conference.

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Jonathan Erlich (Robert Duyos, Sun Sentinal/September 9, 2014) Jonathan Erlich, a tennis pro for the Israeli Davis Cup team, looks to hit and overhead smash.

Autograph (Robert Duyos, Sun Sentinal/September 9, 2014) Jonathan Erlich, a tennis pro for the Israeli Davis Cup team, signs an oversized ball for 8 year-old fan Olivia Chalik at the Sunrise Tennis Center

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Davis Cup team (Robert Duyos, Sentinal/September 9, 2014) The six member Israeli Davis Cup tennis team all smille during a press conference at the Sunrise Tennis Center.

Dude Sela (Robert Duyos, Sentinal/September 9, 2014) Dude Sela, a tennis pro for the Israeli Davis Cup team, looks to retuen a backhand during practive at the Sunrise Tennis Center.

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Jonathan Erlich (Robert Duyos, Sentinal/September 9, 2014) Jonathan Erlich, a tennis pro for the Israeli Davis Cup team, poses for a picture with a fan

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Davis Cup Tennis Israel vs Argentina

Israel (Robert Duyos, Sentinal/September 15, 2014) Davis Cup Tennis Israel vs Argentina

Israel (Robert Duyos, Sentinal/September 15, 2014) Davis Cup Tennis Israel vs Argentina 41

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Israel (Robert Duyos, Sentinal/September 14, 2014) Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq collapses to the court after defeating Israel in the final singles match of the Davis Cup event held at the Sunrise Tennis Center.

Israel (Robert Duyos, Sentinal/September 14, 2014) Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq rips his shirt after defeating Israel in the final singles match of the Davis Cup event held at the Sunrise Tennis Center 42

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Israel (Robert Duyos, Sentinal/September 14, 2014) Fans of Argentina cheer on their team at the Sunrise Tennis Center

Israel (Robert Duyos, Sentinal/September 14 2014) Israel’s Bar Botzer looks to return a backhand in the final match of the Davis Cup event held at the Sunrise Tennis Center 43

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Israel (Robert Duyos, Sentinal/September 14, 2014) Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq shakes hands with members of the Israeli team after defeating their team in straight sets Sunday afternoon.

Israel (Robert Duyos, Sentinal/September 15, 2014) Davis Cup Tennis Israel vs Argentina

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Israel (Robert Duyos, Sentinal/September 15, 2014) Davis Cup Tennis Israel vs Argentina

Israel (Robert Duyos, Sentinal/September 14, 2014) Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq rips off his shirt after defeating Israel in the final singles match of the Davis Cup event held at the Sunrise Tennis Center 45

By Marvin Glassman, September 8, 2014 Page 1 of 2

Davis Cup match moved from Tel Aviv to Sunrise The Davis Cup tennis match between Israel and Argentina, originally scheduled to be played in Tel Aviv from Sept. 12-14, will now be moved to the Sunrise Tennis Center on the same dates, because of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The International Tennis Federation made the decision to play the matches outside of Israel because of the concern of security for the tennis players on both teams due to the conflict in the Israeli Davis Cup tennis team (from left to right): Captain Eyal region. After reviewing many neutral sites, the Rand, players Jonathan Erlich, Andy Ram, Amir Weintraub ITF, in agreement with both the Argentinian and Dudi Sela. and Israeli tennis officials, selected the Sunrise facility because of the large Argentinian and Jewish population in South Florida.

"Everyone feels bad about the site being moved from Israel, but with the matches being played in Sunrise, there will be much enthusiasm from the 5,000 fans we expect who will be cheering for both teams," said Gabe Norona of the Sunrise Tennis Club, who supervised a men's pro tennis tournamentat Sunrise from 2004-2010.

"I am excited to and happy to help the cause for the teams. To host an event as prestigious as a Davis Cup match is a dream come true," he added.

The event is historical as it marks the first time in the 104 year history of Davis Cup play that the United States has hosted Davis Cup matches not involving the United States team. Davis Cup is an ongoing annual competition involving 122 nations to determine which country is supreme in tennis, similar to the World Cup in soccer.

"I am personally happy that, with the Davis Cup not being played in Israel, that we are playing in Sunrise. I have played there before over my career and like the enthusiastic crowd support and have many friends there," said Dudi Sela, Israel's highest ranked tennis player, who will lead his team against Argentina.

The four player Israeli Davis Cup team features Sela, Amir Weintraub and the veteran doubles team of Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram, who won the Australian Open 2008 men's

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double title.

The Argentinian team has one Jewish player, Diego Schwartzman, and their coach and captain Martin Jaite, was ranked 11th in the world in 1989, and is regarded as the best Jewish tennis player to have come from South America.

The format over the weekend will involve five matches with two singles matches involving the top two players form both nations as well as a doubles match to determine the winning nation, which will advance to the 16 team World Group in 2015.

The Davis Cup World Group tennis playoff between Israel and Argentina will be played from Sept. 12-14 at the Sunrise Tennis Club, 9605 West Oakland Park Blvd. in Sunrise. For tickets, call 954-572-2286. http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-09-08/florida-jewish-journal/fl-jjpstennis-0910-20140908_1_gabe-norona-israeli-davis-cup-tennis-playoff

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September 15, 2014

Israel loses Davis Cup tie in Sunrise

In Sunrise this past weekend (Sept. 12-14), Israel led its BNP Paribas Davis Cup 2015 seeding tie against Argentina 2-1 after Saturday's play, but dropped both singles matches on Sunday to lose, 3-2.

The tie was held at the Sunrise Tennis Center — before crowds each day of about 2,000 people — because it was moved from Tel Aviv because of security concerns due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The Davis Cup is an annual competition involving 122 nations to determine tennis supremacy, similar to the World Cup in soccer. With the win, Argentina will retain its spot in the World Group for 2015, while Israel remains in Europe/Africa Zone Group I next year.

Israel’s doubles specialist Andy Ram (foreground) celebrates his Davis Cup tennis victory with partner Jonathan Erlich over an Argentinian team in a match played in Sunrise on Sept. 13.

It was the final match in Ram’s storied career. (Submitted photo / September 15, 2014)

On Saturday, Israel's doubles specialist team of Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram defeated Argentina's Federico Delbonis and Horacio Zeballos 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in a match lasting four hours and five minutes.

Ram strained a muscle in his left leg with Israel leading 4-2 in the fifth set, and gamely got through the match (including a final service game that Erlich dominated from the net) — the final one in his storied doubles career.

Erlich and Ram improved to 19-5 together in Davis Cup, making them the best doubles team in Israel's history. Ram, 34, announced earlier this year that this would be his final season of pro tennis. Ram wept on the court after the match and was tossed in the air by his teammates.

However, on Sunday, Argentina's top singles player, Leonardo Mayer (ranked 25th in the world), swept Israel's top singles player, Dudi Sela (ranked 84th) 2-6, 1-6, 4-6 to even the tie at two-apiece.

Israel's slim hopes were then left to Davis Cup rookie Bar Tzuf Botzer (ranked 776th), but Botzer was no match for Argentina's Carlos Berlocq (ranked 67th), falling in straight sets 2-6, 3-6, 0-6.

On Friday, Botzer lost to Mayer 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 1-6 and Sela beat Berlocq 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/florida-jewish-journal/news/broward-county-news/fl-jjbs-daviscup-0918-20140915,0,6145706.story

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by Howard Blas September 15, 2014

Israel falls to Argentina in relocated Davis Cup match Israel lost in the Davis Cup to Argentina in a match that was moved from Tel Aviv to Florida due to the conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

Israel lost 3-2 after dropping the two singles’ matches on Sunday in Sunrise, Fla. Argentina, which was favored, will go on to vie for the 2015 Davis Cup. Israel will compete next year in the Davis Cup World Group II. A day earlier, Israel had taken a 2-1 lead with a five-set victory by its doubles team, Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich. Ram, a Uruguay native, was playing in his last professional match after announcing his retirement recently.

“The most successful double partners in the history of Israeli tennis made aliyah with their families and speak fluently in Spanish,” Erlich, who was born in Argentina, joked with a journalist from his native country, adding that he wasn’t sure which team his parents were backing.

Argentina’s Davis Cup team has two Jewish players who are active in the Jewish community: Martin Jaite, the team’s captain, and Diego Shvartzman, the youngest player on the team.

Jaite also had announced that he would retire from the team after the Israel match. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/florida-jewish-journal/news/broward-county-news/fl-jjbsdaviscup-0918-20140915,0,6145706.story

Israeli tennis player, Andy Ram, in 2013. Image via Wikipedia 49

by Howard Blas September 16, 2014 Page 1 of 3

For Israeli tennis ace Andy Ram and ‘home’ crowd in Fla., a finale to remember It wasn’t Tel Aviv, but thousands of people chanting his name at a Davis Cup match following a grueling victory was a pretty good way for Israel’s Andy Ram to leave the game of tennis to which he had devoted more than half his life.

Ram, 34, and his longtime doubles partner, Yoni Erlich, had just outlasted the Argentine duo of Federico Delbonis and Horacio Zeballos in a five-set match on Saturday that lasted nearly three-and-a-half hours.

With Ram sprawled out on center court — on his back, in tears — the crowd waved Israeli flags and “Todah [Thank you] Andy Ram” signs in Hebrew and chanted “Andyoni” and “Tishaer [Stay],” suggesting that he put off the retirement he had announced recently.

Israel’s Andy Ram sprawled on the court following his five-set doubles victory with partner Yoni Erlich, holding racket, against Argentina in a Davis Cup match in Sunrise, Fla., Sept. 13, 2014. (Andrea Eidman)/JTA

His teammates, wearing “Todah Andy” shirts, surrounded Ram, hoisted him in the air and carried him off the court. They proceeded to dump an ice-filled bucket on his head.

He would stay on the court for 20 minutes signing autographs and posing for pictures.

At a news conference afterward, Ram talked about his actions following the match, with Erlich and coach Eyal Ran at his side.

“I ran out of energy,” he said. “Then, as I was looking up at the sky and the birds, I got very emotional. And I cried like a baby.

“I thought of my father who couldn’t be here. I thought of my mom who was here. I left home at 14 to play tennis. Most of our relationship was on the phone. It meant the world to me that she was here.”

The doubles victory had put underdog Israel ahead 2-1 in the team match, but Argentina took both singles matches the following day to advance in the international tournament.

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Despite the thunderous reception — as well as the Hebrew music heard frequently during the changeovers — Ram and his Israeli teammates lamented that the match was not played in central Israel, as scheduled, rather than South Florida.

In July, the Argentine Tennis Association requested a change in venue from the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv due to security concerns surrounding the conflict in Gaza. The International Tennis Federation informed Israel in August that the match had to be moved. Israel appealed but lost; it would have to serve as host in a different location.

The Sunrise Tennis Club was selected from among several options. Much of the crowd there backed the Israelis, with a section of Argentines clad in light blue and white shirts rooting on their guys.

“We are playing here in the U.S.; it is a good feeling and yet it is not the best feeling,” Ram told JTA on Friday. “It was supposed to be in Israel. I wanted to play in front of my home crowd.”

His teammate, Dudi Sela, was a little more direct.

“The ITF made a mistake,” Sela told JTA. “We were looking forward to playing in front of 11,000 people cheering for Israel.”

Asi Touchmair, the chair of the Israel Tennis Association, noted in a statement that Israel has hosted the Davis Cup during times of war and military operations without having to move the matches.

Despite the distance and the logistics difficulties involved, Touchmair said, “we decided to play the Davis Cup in South Florida due to the warm and welcoming relationship that Israel receives from the United States, and where an atmosphere of a ‘home away from home’ will be experienced by our Israel Davis Cup team.”

Among those who made the trek to Sunrise was Andrea Eidman, an Argentine sports journalist who came from Buenos Aires.

“People asked me, who do you cheer for? And honestly, I didn’t care!” she said.

Eidman added, “For me, being present at that tennis court … with the Hebrew music going on and on, with the Israeli flags, the ‘Hatikvah,’ the shofar — it was a party from beginning to end!”

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Ram, sitting in the stands on Friday with Erlich, 37, and cheering on his teammates during singles’ matches, told JTA he had no problem looking toward the future.

“I try to put it behind me, like in the past,” he said. “I am the kind of guy who is always thinking, ‘What’s next?’

“It was fun. It was a good time. Next is to focus on my kids [aged 5 and 7]. To see them growing, to be great athletes. To find myself, my way.”

Ram and Erlich – natives of Uruguay and Argentina, respectively — reached as high as No. 5 in the world doubles rankings. They advanced to 36 finals and won 20 of them, including the 2008 Australian Open. Ram also won the Wimbledon mixed doubles in 2006 and the French Open mixed doubles in 2007.

Ram is particularly proud of his Davis Cup record of 19-5 following the one final victory – achieved despite pulling muscle in his left leg late in the fifth set.

“I sent Jonathan on a suicide mission,” Ram joked. “He said, ‘Just get the serves in. I will do the rest.’ ” Erlich’s particularly strong volleys powered the duo in the final set in 91-degree heat.

Ram spoke of his partnership with Ehrlich.

“When we go on court together, magic happens. We communicate. We know what the other one will do,” Ram said.

Erlich offered, “We had motivation, energy and a lot of belief.”

Eidman summed up what much of the crowd was likely feeling on seeing Ram’s finale.

“I felt like crying when Andy Ram said goodbye to tennis,” she said, noting that the Argentina team’s Jewish captain, Martin Jaite, was playing in his final match, too.

Eidman also said, “I would have loved to travel to eretz Israel instead of America. … It hurt my heart not to go to Israel because of the war.”

But, Ram said, “11,000 people screaming Andyoni is amazing!” http://www.jewishjournal.com/sports/article/for_israeli_tennis_ace_andy_ram_and_ home_crowd_in_fla._a_finale_to_remember

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By HARVEY ARATON SEPT. 11, 2014 Page 1 of 3

War Sweeps an Israeli’s Davis Cup Swan Song to Florida Win or lose, it was to be the grandest of goodbyes, and right in the veritable backyard. Tennis players are the most transient of athletes, but for his vocational finish Andy Ram had assembled a guest list of family and friends, swelling to nearly 500.

Over all, a crowd as many as 11,000 nationalistic strong was expected to fill a basketball arena in Tel Aviv. Emotions would spill. Israeli flags would wave.

But before any of that could happen, missiles from Gaza flew.

When the Israeli-Palestinian conflict erupted again in full deadly horror, Ram’s carefully calibrated retirement after a decade and a half of playing Davis Cup doubles for his country was scaled down, and out, exported all the way to the United States.

“In Tel Aviv right now, it is beautiful, peaceful, people going to cafes,” Ram said by telephone from Sunrise, Fla., where Israel will begin its World Group playoff Friday against Argentina. “We tried to say that it could all change in a moment, just be patient. But unfortunately, we Andy Ram, a longtime doubles specialist for are here.”

Israel, practicing for the Davis Cup playoff Home-court and country advantage was lost for Israel when the match against Argentina in Sunrise, Fla. International Tennis Federation decided last month, after concerns Credit Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press expressed by Argentina, that the conflict with Hamas in Gaza made the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv too risky a site. (At the same time, the I.T.F. said Ukraine, which is dealing with its own political unrest, could host matches against Belgium in Kiev. But the I.T.F. later changed its position and moved those matches to Tallinn, Estonia.)

After consideration of other sites — for proximity’s sake, Cyprus was an early favorite of the Israelis — the event landed at the Sunrise Tennis Club, about 35 miles north of Miami. For Ram and company, it has become one more chapter in the ever-lurking specter of politicizing Israeli sports, most heinously enacted by the murder of 11 members of the country’s 1972 Olympic team in Munich by the Palestinian group Black September.

“We’re a small country, a dot on the map,” Ram said. “And yet sometimes we are making so much noise, like we are China.”

Israel’s top club basketball and soccer teams have over the years had games in Europe disrupted by protesters and must travel with heightened security. A basketball-loving country, it has a national team that must qualify for the Olympics and events like the FIBA World Cup, which ends Sunday, against European powers instead of in its more competitively achievable geographic region.

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Page 2 of 3 In one of the more bizarre episodes involving Israeli sports, Ram and the 2009 Davis Cup team played on the road in an empty 4,000-seat arena in Malmo, Sweden, when the hosts surrendered to the threat of anticipated anti-Israel protests.

Davis Cup competitions are called ties and, according to Eyal Ran, the Israeli captain, the situation in Sweden was “almost an advantage for us” because the absence of a crowd was a neutralizing factor in a 3-2 victory for Israel.

“This time, we’re away from home, which has always been a huge thing for us,” he said.

Continue reading the main storyContinue reading the main story The Sunrise club has a seating capacity of about 2,500, said Gabe Norona, who until 2010 directed an ATP tournament at the club and is friendly with Israel’s top singles player, Dudi Sela.

It is a public club, and Cindi McCue of the Sunrise Police Department said, “We are taking measures to ensure the environment is safe for all of the participants and visitors, the details of which we will not discuss.”

Sunrise was ultimately agreeable to both teams, with the Israelis aware of South Florida’s large Jewish population. Argentina’s captain, the former tour player Martin Jaite, said the location was good for his players in the wake of the United States Open and because an Argentine community in South Florida also created the possibility of fan support for his team.

Jaite won 12 titles in his career and reached the French Open quarterfinals in 1985. As with Ram, this World Group playoff represents an ending; his three-year contract is expiring, and Argentina has a one-term captaincy rule. He said that concluding in Tel Aviv, hostile crowd and all, would not have been the worst thing.

Jaite happens to be Jewish.

“I have nephews living in Israel,” he said in a telephone interview. “I’ve been there to play tennis, on vacation. So, yes, I can understand what they have been going through in a situation like this. It’s not easy for them. But I’m not going to talk about the political thing. I’m from Argentina. My job is to win. It’s all about the tennis.”

Adding to a more fraternal atmosphere is that Ram’s longtime doubles partner, Jonathan Erlich, was born in Argentina. In 2008, Ram and Erlich, known as Yoni, won the Australian Open doubles title and were the fifthranked team in the world. That was then. Now 34, Ram has been through hip surgery and is still plagued by pain. Losses have become more frequent and travel more difficult with two young children and a third on the way.

He has seen it all — most of it, he said, as a typical doubles specialist. But, yes, his Israeli passport meant the occasional transference to a tennis twilight zone.

In 2009, shortly before the matches in the vacant arena in Sweden, Israel’s top female player, Shahar Peer, was denied a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates to play in a major event. After bureaucratic intervention, Ram was allowed in the next week for the men’s tournament.

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“I had, like, 15 bodyguards, people protecting my room 24/7,” he said. “When I played a match, they took everyone’s cellphones that came to watch. It was like the prime minister had come to visit.”

But shouldn’t that have been the point of it all? The ideal of sport to, as he said, “break down walls, build a bridge”?

“Now I can’t help but feel that by moving us to Florida they’ve given in to terror,” Ram said.

He cannot help but wistfully dwell on what Ran, the captain, called “our miracle,” the 2009 upset of Marat Safin’s powerful Russian team in the quarterfinals after the victory in Sweden. The win was wrapped up on the second day by Ram and Erlich in doubles. The images of those nearly 11,000 fans and of Ram being carried around the arena are indelible. And while the folks in Sunrise have been welcoming, Ram’s mind wanders to what might have been, for him, the easiest way to go out.

His father, Ami, died in 2005, leaving “a huge hole” in his life. His mother, Diana, called him from Israel this week, hurting that she would not be able to attend his last match Saturday.

“It’s O.K., Ma,” he told her. “I’ll come back to Israel, do some kind of exhibition.”

All right, she said. She called again later.

“I’m coming, buying a plane ticket,” she told him. “I’ll see you Friday.”

At least there is that. The grand plan fails, but a new day beckons. Mom flies in. Sunrise happens. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/12/sports/tennis/war-sweeps-an-israelis-davis-cup-goodbye-to-florida. html?_r=0

The Israeli, left, and Swedish Davis Cup teams competed in an empty arena in Sweden in 2009 because of security concerns.

Credit Stig-Ake Jonsson/Scanpix Sweden, via Associated Press

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By TIM REYNOLDS Sep. 10, 2014 Page 1 of 4

'Home' A Relative Term For Israel's Davis Cup Team SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Andy Ram didn't hide his frustration.

He wanted to spend this weekend playing tennis for his country inside an arena in Tel Aviv, surrounded by 11,000 fellow Israelis in the stands for a critical Davis Cup tie against Argentina.

Instead, he is 6,500 miles from home.

"Unfortunately," Ram said, "we're here."

The aforementioned "here" is a South Florida suburb about 35 miles north of Miami, the spot chosen to host the Argentina-Israel matches that were displaced because of a war that raged until last month.

The World Group playoff matchup will take place at the Sunrise Tennis Club, an outdoor hard-court facility.

"There's many emotions," Israeli doubles player Jonathan Erlich said. "We need to put all these emotions on the side when we go out on the court."

The International Tennis Federation told the Israelis last month that the match had to be moved, then held up that decision after a subsequent appeal that left what would have been the "home" team displeased.

"Blame the ITF," Ram said.

Over 50 days, more than 2,200 people — most of them Palestinians — were killed in the war, the third round of fighting since Hamas seized power in Gaza.

Given the uncertainty about safety, the ITF ordered a new host site while acknowledging the war was slowing down. Israel's appeal to postpone the match to elsewhere in the nation was denied, and South Florida soon became the agreed-upon destination.

"It is always a very difficult decision for the ITF to take away choice of ground in Davis Cup," ITF President Ricci Bitti said when the decision was announced.

The Israelis still aren't happy about it, even though the sizable Jewish population in South Florida could provide a home-court advantage of sorts this weekend.

"That's why we brought the Davis Cup here. That's one of the reasons," Ram said. "The Jewish community is big, the crowd is going to be on our side, and it's the closest we can feel at home."

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Then again, the Miami area also has plenty of Latin influence, so Argentina's players will likely hear a few cries of "vamos!" over the weekend, as well. And with Leonardo Mayer — a winner on the ATP Tour earlier this year and now the 25th-ranked player in the world — leading their side, the Argentines would be considered favorites anyway.

"I'm not going to get involved in the decisions of the international federation," Argentina captain Martin Jaite said. "Definitely, for a team to lose their local advantage is a disadvantage."

Jaite, a former top-10 singles player, is Jewish but said his faith didn't leave him feeling torn this weekend.

"I'm the captain of the Argentinian team," Jaite said. "I don't have any conflictions or emotions. I'm representing Argentina."

This will not be the first time an Israeli match in Davis Cup play has been held amid controversy.

Sweden elected to host Israel in 2009 without any fans present, citing a fear of protests.

The Swedes were fined for that decision. They also wound up losing 3-2.

For now, the air strikes over Israel and Gaza have stopped. Ram said he believes tensions have subsided to the point where the Davis Cup tie could have been played as originally scheduled without incident.

"Right now, I think we could host the Olympics, not only the Davis Cup," Ram said. "It looks so peaceful now in Israel, walking the streets."

Erlich brought some members of his family to the United States from their Israeli home in late July when the airstrikes were particularly intense. Dudi Sela, the team's top singles player, has an app on his phone alerting him when air raid sirens are blaring at home.

"It's not easy," Sela said.

A win this weekend would land the Israelis back in the World Group next year. When play starts Friday, they say their focus will be on the competition.

"We were not happy to lose the home advantage," Israel captain Eyal Ran said. "It's already behind us now. Right now, this is a home away from home." http://bigstory.ap.org/article/home-relative-term-israels-davis-cup-team

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Israel team captain Eyal Ran, right, gestures as he speaks during a news conference as Jonathan Erlich, left, and Andy Ram, center, listen, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, in Sunrise, Fla. Israel and Argentina will play a Davis Cup tennis tie in Sunrise later this week. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Federico Delbonis, left, and Leonardo Mayer, right, both of Argentina, chat during a news conference Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 in Sunrise, Fla. Israel and Argentina will play the Davis Cup tie in Sunrise later this week.

(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

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Argentina team captain Martin Jaite holds up a magazine with his photo on the cover after a news conference at the Sunrise Tennis Club, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 in Sunrise, Fla. Israel and Argentina will play the Davis Cup World Group play-off in Sunrise, Sept. 12-14. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Andy Ram, of Israel, returns a shot during practice at the Sunrise Tennis Club, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 in Sunrise, Fla. Israel and Argentina will play the Davis Cup World Group play-off in Sunrise, Sept. 12-14.

(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

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Sep. 11, 2014

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ARGENTINA'S MAYER VS ISRAEL'S BOTZER IN DAVIS CUP SUNRISE, Florida (AP) — Argentina's Leonardo Mayer will play Israel's Bar Botzer to open Davis Cup play on Friday.

The draw held Thursday also pits Argentina's Carlos Berlocq against Dudi Sela in the Davis Cup World Group playoff. It was originally a home match for Israel, but because of safety concerns, the International Tennis Federation moved the event to Florida.

On Saturday, the doubles will feature Argentina's Federico Delbonis and Horacio Zeballos against Israel's Jonathan Erlilch and Andy Ram. If reverse single are necessary in the best-offive series on Sunday, Mayer will face Sela and Berlocq will play Botzer.

The winner will be among 16 teams to compete for the 2015 Davis Cup. The loser will play next year in World Group II.

Federico Delbonis, left, Leonardo Mayer, center, and Argentina team captain Martin Jaite, right, laugh as they answer questions during a news conference Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, in Sunrise, Fla. Israel and Argentina will play a Davis Cup tie in Sunrise later this week. (AP Photo/ Wilfredo Lee)

Federico Delbonis, left, and Leonardo Mayer, right, both of Argentina, chat during a news conference Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 in Sunrise, Fla. Israel and Argentina will play the Davis Cup tie in Sunrise later this week. (AP Photo/ Wilfredo Lee)

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Israel tennis player Jonathan Erlich, left, smiles as his teammate Andy Ram speaks during a news conference at the Sunrise Tennis Club, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 in Sunrise, Fla. Israel and Argentina will play the Davis Cup World Group play-off in Sunrise, Sept. 12-14. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Argentina team captain Martin Jaite holds up a magazine with his photo on the cover after a news conference at the Sunrise Tennis Club, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 in Sunrise, Fla. Israel and Argentina will play the Davis Cup World Group play-off in Sunrise, Sept. 1214. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Israel team captain Eyal Ran, right, gestures as he speaks during a news conference as Jonathan Erlich, left, and Andy Ram, center, listen, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, in Sunrise, Fla. Israel and Argentina will play a Davis Cup tennis tie in Sunrise later this week. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

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Sep. 12, 2014 Page 1 of 2

ARGENTINA TIED 1-1 WITH ISRAEL IN DAVIS CUP

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Dudi Sela's four-set win over Carlos Berlocq on Friday lifted Israel into a 1-1 tie with Argentina in their Davis Cup World Group playoff.

Leonardo Mayer defeated Bar Botzer 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the first match of the day, but Sela responded with a 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-2 victory against Berlocq at the Sunrise Tennis Center.

The event was originally a home match for Israel in Tel Aviv. But the International Tennis Federation moved it to Florida because of safety concerns.

Scoring updates on the loudspeaker were given in Hebrew and English. The cheering sections were split evenly, with both groups wearing the blue and white of their nation's flags.

The best-of-five competition resumes with a doubles match on Saturday and then reverse singles on Sunday. The winning country becomes one of 16 teams that will compete to win the 2015 Davis Cup. The loser will play next year in World Group II. It was Sela's second win over Berlocq in the past couple of weeks. Sela, ranked 84th in the world, beat No. 67 Berlocq in four sets in the first round of the U.S. Open on Aug. 25.

Argentina, which has finished second in the Davis Cup four times, is 2-0 all-time against Israel.

But Sela's victory was the first time Israel had won a Davis Cup match against Argentina.

The 25th-ranked Mayer broke Botzer's serve to start the match. In the second set, Botzer trailed 3-2 when he broke Mayer's serve. Mayer double-faulted in the game's decisive point.

Mayer, 27, took 5-0 leads in the third and fourth sets against the 20-year-old Botzer, who is ranked No. 776 and was making his Davis Cup debut.

"It was not easy playing against an opponent with such a low ranking - the ball never seemed to come over the net cleanly," Mayer said. "I had never heard of him, but he played well. He played better than his ranking."

Despite the loss, Botzer was upbeat. He said he even enjoyed when the Argentina fans started singing.

"I had the time of my life," he said. "I wasn't afraid. I wasn't nervous except maybe the first game.

It was my first time playing someone in the top 200, (let alone) top 30. I think I played a pretty decent match."

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/argentina-takes-1-0-lead-vs-israel-davis-cup 62

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Carlos Berlocq, of Argentina, returns the ball to Dudi Sela, of Israel, during a Davis Cup tennis match in Sunrise, Fla., Friday, Sept. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) Dudi Sela, of Israel, returns the ball to Carlos Berlocq, of Argentina, during a Davis Cup tennis match in Sunrise, Fla., Friday, Sept. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

Argentina's Leonardo Mayer celebrates after defeating Israel's Bar Tzuf Botzer 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a Davis Cup tennis match, Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

An Argentina fan cheers for his country's team during a Davis Cup tennis match against Israel Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

Israel's Bar Tzuf Botzer returns the ball to Argentina's Leonardo Mayer, during a Davis Cup tennis match, Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

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Sep. 13, 2014 EDT

ISRAEL TAKES 2-1 LEAD VS ARGENTINA IN DAVIS CUP

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Andy Ram, of Israel, watches as his team mate, Jonathan Elrich, of Israel, left, returns the ball to Horacio Aeballos, of Argentina, right, during Davis Cup doubles tennis play in Sunrise, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) Jonathan Erlich, Andy Ram, Federico Delbonis, Horacio Zeballos Horacio Zeballos watches as his team mate Federico Delbonis, of Argentina, returns the ball to the team from Israel during Davis Cup doubles tennis play in Sunrise, Fla., Saturday, Sept.

13, 2014. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) Prev 1 of 3 Next SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Led by the doubles team of Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram, Israel took a 2-1 lead over Argentina on Saturday afternoon in a best-of-five Davis Cup World Group playoff.

Erlich and Ram defeated Argentina's Federico Delbonis and Horacio Zeballos 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in 91-degree heat at the Sunrise Tennis Center.

Ram pulled a muscle in his left leg with Israel leading 4-2 in the fifth set, and was forced to serve ever-so-slowly in the final game of the match.

Argentina hammered his weak serves, but Erlich managed several successful volleys to help his team get the win.

"There were missiles coming at me," Erlich joked. "I tried not to get killed."

The event was originally a home match for Israel in Tel Aviv. But the International Tennis Federation moved it to Florida because of safety concerns.

Israel broke Zeballos' serve to go up 3-1 in the fifth set. Zeballos also hit the game's final shot into the net, touching off a wild celebration for the Israeli players and fans.

Favored Argentina is ranked fourth in Davis Cup. Israel is ranked 19th.

The competition resumes with reverse singles on Sunday. Argentina's Leonardo Mayer takes on Dudi Sela, followed by Carlos Berlocq against Israel's Bar Botzer.

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Horacio Zeballos watches as his team mate Federico Delbonis, of Argentina, returns the ball to the team from Israel during Davis Cup doubles tennis play in Sunrise, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014.

(AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

The winning country becomes one of 16 teams that will compete to win the 2015 Davis Cup. The loser will play next year in World Group II. In Friday's action, Mayer beat Botzer, and Sela defeated Berlocq.

Erlich and Ram improved 19-5 when playing Davis Cup together, making them the best doubles team in their nation's history. Ram, 34, announced earlier this year that this would be his final season of pro tennis.

Erlich, 37, was born in Argentina, and Ram is a native of another South American country, Uruguay.

Ram wept on the court after the match and then his teammates tossed him in the air in celebration.

For Argentina, Delbonis, 23, was making his Davis Cup debut. In singles last year, he beat Roger Federer in the semifinals of the German Open, but Delbonis is just 7-17 in doubles on the ATP Tour.

Zeballos, 29, has more experience than his partner. He is 4-3 in Davis Cup matches, and he beat Rafael Nadal in singles in 2013. He has made two Grand Slam semifinals in doubles 2010 U.S. Open and 2013 French.

But this was just the second time Delbonis and Zeballos have played together. Zeballos has little experience playing next to a left-hander such as Delbonis.

Zeballos' most recent Davis Cup partner, Juan Monaco, was replaced prior to this tie due to a right-wrist injury.

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It has been 24 years since Argentina has come back from a deficit to win a Davis Cup tie. Argentina captain Martin Jaite said Israel's lead is not a fluke.

"We knew that being down one was possible," Jaite said, "and maybe even logical. I'm not surprised." http://bigstory.ap.org/article/israel-takes-2-1-lead-vs-argentina-davis-cup http:// bigstory.ap.org/article/israel-takes-2-1-lead-vs-argentina-davis-cup Jonathan Erlich watches as his team mate Andy Ram, of Israel, returns the ball to the team from Argentina during Davis Cup doubles tennis play in Sunrise, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014.(AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

Andy Ram, of Israel, watches as his team mate, Jonathan Elrich, of Israel, left, returns the ball to Horacio Aeballos, of Argentina, right, during Davis Cup doubles tennis play in Sunrise, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

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ARGENTINA TOPS ISRAEL IN DAVIS CUP PLAYOFF

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Favored Argentina won both matches on Sunday, rallying to defeat Israel 3-2 in a Davis Cup World Group playoff tie.

Israel led 2-1 after Saturday's doubles, making this the first time in 24 years that Argentina has rallied to win a Davis Cup tie. In fact, Argentina has rallied to win just twice previously in its 91-year history in the competition, beating Brazil in 1976 and Germany in 1990.

Argentina's Carlos Berlocq beat Israel's Bar Botzer, 6-2, 6-3, 6-0, in Sunday's decisive match.

Berlocq, 31, is ranked 67th. Botzer, 20, making his Davis Cup debut this weekend, is ranked No. 776.

After the match, Berlocq celebrated by ripping his sweaty shirt and handing it to an Argentine fan at the Sunrise Tennis Center.

"That's a beautiful tradition," Berlocq said of ripping his shirt after big wins. "I didn't want this to be an exception."

Earlier Sunday, Argentina's Leonardo Mayer defeated Israel's Dudi Sela 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 in a battle of the nations' top players.

Argentina, ranked fourth, will now have a chance to win the 2015 Davis Cup, advancing to the 16-team World Group.

Israel, ranked 19th, cannot win next year's Cup and will be relegated to World Group II. Neither team has won the Davis Cup. Argentina has finished second on four occasions, most recently in 2011.

Israel, which is now 0-3 against Argentina all-time, had its best finish in 2009, advancing to the semifinals.

Mayer, ranked 25th, was dominant against the 84th-ranked Sela, winning every service game.

He served out the match by getting three aces and one service winner in the final game.

Sela, who praised Mayer, said he lacked energy and felt the pressure of being Israel's best hope to win the Davis Cup.

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"People ask me why I don't have a better ranking, and this is the reason," Sela said. "One day I play very well. Two days later, I play like No. 400."

Mayer said he played his best match of the year on Sunday and was a bit annoyed when some of Sela's comments were relayed to him. Of particular annoyance was a comment that Sela made that virtually anyone - he referenced retired player Manuel Zabaleta - could have beaten him the way he played on Sunday.

"I beat him with a stick," Mayer said in Spanish. "It's better to admit that than to lie."

This weekend's tie was originally set to be played in Israel. But it was moved from Tel Aviv due to safety concerns in the region.

"For sure," Botzer said when asked if playing in Israel might have made a difference in the tie.

"The crowd is our X factor when we play at home.

"Here, the Argentina fans were really good. They pushed their team. I wish we could have played at home." http://bigstory.ap.org/article/argentina-stays-alive-davis-cup

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DAVIS CUP ISRAEL ARGENTINA TENNIS

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More than 100 images were posted on the AP Photo Gallery from the Davis Cup event.

To see the full set of the photos, visit the link. http://bigstory.ap.org/photo-gallery/davis-cup-israel-argentina-tennis 70

By Jonathan Morgan September 13, 2014

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Israel-Argentina Davis Cup Day 1 Recap With the current unrest in the Middle East, the ITF decided to move the Davis Cup World Group Playoff between Israel and Argentina from Tel-a-Viv, Israel to Sunrise, Florida. This neutral venue would provide, in theory, an equal cheering section for both teams.

First, we had the opening ceremony:

The first match of the day was #25 in the world Leo Mayer of Argentina vs. Bar Botzer (#776) of Israel. Botzer was called in to replace the injured Amir Weintraub.

It appeared as though Israel still got the lion’s share of the support. Not as much as they’d receive at home, but throughout the day, Israel had on average more people cheering for them.

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Botzer started out nervous, hitting several easy early errors in the opening game and was broken. After that opening game, however, he loosened up and held his own in the set before Mayer won it by 6-4.

Botzer is very Hewitt-like, both in appearance and game style, save for the one handed backhand he possesses.

In the Davis Cup, you play for your team first, and yourself 2nd:

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Early match point

In the 2nd set, Mayer had the break with 3-2, but with 2 double faults, some loud Israeli support and Botzer showing his best, he was able to break back, then hold for 4-3. On the changeover, the Israeli crowd support got even louder. And when Botzer broke again (Mayer a bit loose, and 2 more double faults), and served it out, he belted a big “C’mon!” like Hewitt and ripped out the lawn mower celebration!

After they split sets, both took a bathroom break. In the 3rd, Mayer calmed down a bit and was able to play a normal game and won it by 6-2. Botzer looked to strain a leg muscle sliding into a shot on the hard court and called the trainer between 3rd and 4th sets. He was still able to compete, but he was unable to keep up his level. Mayer won the remaining 2 sets by 6-2, 6-1, but Botzer played a very good match considering he is 700+ in the world rankings vs. a top 25er. The Israelis could not have asked for much more from their young guy in the opening rubber.

http://tenniseastcoast.com/2014/09/13/israel-argentina-davis-cup-day-1-recap/ 73

September 3, 2014

Support Israel's Davis Cup Tennis Team!

From September 12 to 14, The Sunrise Tennis Club in Sunrise Florida will be hosting the Davis Cup tie set between Israel and Argentina. Previously scheduled to be held in Tel Aviv on Israel’s home court, The International Tennis Federation ruled that due to security concerns in the region, Israel would have to select a neutral venue for the tie set. The Sunrise Tennis Club is the former site of the ATP's BMW Tennis Championship from 2004 - 2010.

The competition is a rare and exciting opportunity for the Jewish community to express solidarity for Israel and cheer on the team to victory. Join the Israel Tennis Centers Foundation in creating a home court advantage for the Israeli team and root our players to victory!

Members of the Israeli contingent include, Dudi Sela, currently the top ranked singles player in Israel, who grew up in Kiryat Shmona and trained in Ramat Hasharon. He has had a string of recent victories, making it to the final of the ATP tournament last month in Atlanta; Yoni Erlich and Andy Ram, from ITC-Haifa & ITC-Jerusalem and 2008 Australian Open doubles champions, who train at the ITC-Ramat Hasharon; Amir Weintraub, 8-time ITF winner, who spent his youth at the ITC-Jaffa.

Schedule of Matches is as follows: Friday, September 12 11:30 am - 1st singles match 20 minutes break 2nd singles match Saturday, September 13 2 pm - Doubles match Sunday, September 14 11:30 am - 1st singles match Interval 20 minutes 2nd singles match Tickets for this important competition are currently available, but seating is limited. To demonstrate your solidarity with the Israeli team and nation, interested tennis fans, ITC donors and supporters of Israel can order tickets by contacting Cathy Mullin at the Israel Tennis Centers Foundation office at (954) 480-6333 ext. 222 or cmullin@israeltenniscenters.org . You can also show your support by forwarding this article to as many friends as possible. http://jewishmiami.org/communitypost/happening/52325/support_israel_s_davis_cup_tennis_ team_

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Israeli Davis Cup Date: September 12 - 14, 2014 Location: Sunrise Tennis Club 9605 W Oakland Park Blvd.

Sunrise, FL 33351 Map Contact: For tickets: 954.816.4491, tickets@ita.co.il Due to the recent conflict in Israel-Gaza, the World Group Davis Cup Tennis Playoff between Israel and Argentina has been moved to the Sunrise Tennis Club in Broward County.

Show your support for Israel's team by purchasing tickets for the tennis events. Click for Tickets map.

Israeli team players include Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich, doubles; and singles players Dudi Sela, Amir Weintraub and Eyal Ran.

http://www.tbam.org/events/2014/09/12/israel/israeli-davis-cup/

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davis cup tennis: israel vs. argentina September 12, 2014 Fri & Sat 11:30am, Sun 12:30pm sunrise tennis club 9605 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Sunrise, FL 33351 877-934-3376 Admission: One Day Tickets start at $50, Group Rates available The Davis Cup World Group Play-off with Israel and Argentina will be taking place Sept. 12-14 at the Sunrise Tennis Club. The top players from both countries will be competing. The event was moved from Tel Aviv to Sunrise. http://www.sunny.org/includes/calendar-of-events/Davis-Cup-TennisIsrael-vs-Argentina/18888/

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BY PETER BODO SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

Weekend at Davis's World Group Play-offs The sun set on Israel’s hopes in Sunrise, Fla. Argentina defeated Israel, 3-2, on a neutral site (security reasons). The baby blues recovered from a 1-2 deficit after the doubles to take the final two singles matches. The tie was a harrowing one for Argentina, mainly because Dudi Sela, No. 84, upset No. 67 Carlos Berlocq in the second rubber, and Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram won a tough five-set doubles match over Federico Delbonis and Horacio Zeballos. Stung, the Argentines rolled through the final two singles easily, with Leonardo Mayer beating Sela and Berlocq (at right, with torn shirt) finishing off Bar Tzuf Botzer (ranked No. 776, and that’s no typo). http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/09/weekend-daviss/52792/#.

VEJruvl4rQN

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By TIM REYNOLDS Sep 11, 2014 AP Sports Writer Page 1 of 3

'Home' a relative term for Israel's Davis Cup team SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) -- Andy Ram didn't hide his frustration.

He wanted to spend this weekend playing tennis for his country inside an arena in Tel Aviv, surrounded by 11,000 fellow Israelis in the stands for a critical Davis Cup tie against Argentina.

Instead, he is 6,500 miles from home.

"Unfortunately," Ram said, "we're here."

The aforementioned "here" is a South Florida suburb about 35 miles north of Miami, the spot chosen to host the Argentina-Israel matches that were displaced because of a war that raged until last month. The World Group playoff matchup will take place at the Sunrise Tennis Club, an outdoor hard-court facility.

"There's many emotions," Israeli doubles player Jonathan Erlich said. "We need to put all these emotions on the side when we go out on the court."

The International Tennis Federation told the Israelis last month that the match had to be moved, then held up that decision after a subsequent appeal that left what would have been the "home" team displeased.

"Blame the ITF," Ram said.

Over 50 days, more than 2,200 people -- most of them Palestinians -- were killed in the war, the third round of fighting since Hamas seized power in Gaza.

Given the uncertainty about safety, the ITF ordered a new host site while acknowledging the war was slowing down. Israel's appeal to postpone the match to elsewhere in the nation was denied, and South Florida soon became the agreed-upon destination.

"It is always a very difficult decision for the ITF to take away choice of ground in Davis Cup,"

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ITF President Ricci Bitti said when the decision was announced.

The Israelis still aren't happy about it, even though the sizable Jewish population in South Florida could provide a home-court advantage of sorts this weekend.

"That's why we brought the Davis Cup here. That's one of the reasons," Ram said. "The Jewish community is big, the crowd is going to be on our side, and it's the closest we can feel at home."

Then again, the Miami area also has plenty of Latin influence, so Argentina's players will likely hear a few cries of "vamos!" over the weekend, as well. And with Leonardo Mayer -- a winner on the ATP Tour earlier this year and now the 25th-ranked player in the world -leading their side, the Argentines would be considered favorites anyway.

"I'm not going to get involved in the decisions of the international federation," Argentina captain Martin Jaite said. "Definitely, for a team to lose their local advantage is a disadvantage."

Jaite, a former top-10 singles player, is Jewish but said his faith didn't leave him feeling torn this weekend.

"I'm the captain of the Argentinian team," Jaite said. "I don't have any conflictions or emotions. I'm representing Argentina."

This will not be the first time an Israeli match in Davis Cup play has been held amid controversy. Sweden elected to host Israel in 2009 without any fans present, citing a fear of protests.

The Swedes were fined for that decision. They also wound up losing 3-2.

For now, the air strikes over Israel and Gaza have stopped. Ram said he believes tensions have subsided to the point where the Davis Cup tie could have been played as originally scheduled without incident.

"Right now, I think we could host the Olympics, not only the Davis Cup," Ram said. "It looks so peaceful now in Israel, walking the streets."

Erlich brought some members of his family to the United States from their Israeli home in late

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July when the airstrikes were particularly intense. Dudi Sela, the team's top singles player, has an app on his phone alerting him when air raid sirens are blaring at home.

"It's not easy," Sela said.

A win this weekend would land the Israelis back in the World Group next year. When play starts Friday, they say their focus will be on the competition.

"We were not happy to lose the home advantage," Israel captain Eyal Ran said. "It's already behind us now. Right now, this is a home away from home." http://www.wsvn.com/story/26512534/home-a-relative-term-for-israels-davis-cup-team

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South Florida Media Tweets Harvey Fialkov - Sun Sentinel Michelle Kaufman - Miami Herald Jonathan Morgan - Tennis East Coast

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Harvey Fialkov - Sun Sentinel @hfialkov

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Michelle Kaufman -Miami Herald @kaufsports

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Jonathan Morgan - Tennis East Coast @TennisEastCoast

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Television Coverage

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September 10 - Event in Sunrise September 11 - Davis Cup Ceremony Event Interviews with Shlomo Glickstein, Jonathan Erlich, Horacio Zeballos & City of Sunrise Mayor Michael J. Ryan September 12 - Match Coverage September 13 - Match Coverage

September 11 - Davis Cup Ceremony Event

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Press Releases

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Press Release For Immediate Release Israel Tennis Association -- September 4, 2014 MEDIA ADVISORY ISRAEL TENNIS ASSOCIATION MOVES DAVIS CUP TIE FROM TEL AVIV TO SUNRISE, FLORIDA Israel vs. Argentina Davis Cup World Group Play-off September 12-14, 2014 Sunrise (FL) Tennis Club The Israel Tennis Association has selected Sunrise, FL to be its host site for the upcoming Davis Cup tie vs. Argentina.

The three-day competition will be played at the Sunrise Tennis Club, the same world-class tennis facility that was the home for the ATP Challenger BMW Tennis Championship.

The Sunrise Tennis Club is located at 9605 W. Oakland Park Blvd.

Davis Cup Schedule Monday, Sept. 8 Closed practices for both teams Tuesday, Sept. 9 2:00pm Ticket Office Open at venue 3:00pm-5:00pm Open Practice & Autograph Session - Israel's Tennis Players 3:15pm Press Conference - Argentina Davis Cup team 5:00pm Press Conference - Israel Davis Cup team *Tennis fans attending the open practice can park in the grass lot just east of the stadium.

Wednesday, Sept. 10 10:00am-5:00pm Ticket Office Open at venue 7:30pm Official Dinner of the Davis Cup (by invitation only) Thursday, Sept. 11 10:00am-5:00pm Ticket Office Open at venue 1:00pm Official Draw Ceremony of the Davis Cup @ City of Sunrise Civic Center Media credentials are required to attend ceremony.

Friday, Sept. 12 10:00am Gates Open, Ticket Office / Will Call Open 11:30am First singles match The second singles match will start 15-30 minutes after the first match concludes.

Saturday, Sept. 13 10:00am Gates Open, Ticket Office / Will Call Open 11:30am Doubles match Sunday, Sept. 14 11:00am Gates Open, Ticket Office / Will Call Open 12:30pm First singles match The second singles match will start 15-30 minutes after the first match concludes.

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Press Release For Immediate Release Israel Davis Cup Team Captain: Eyal Ran Coach: Noam Behr Players: Jonathan Erlich, Andy Ram, Dudi Sela and Amir Weintraub Tickets Tickets can be ordered online at www.SunriseDavisCup.com or at the Sunrise Tennis Club Ticket Office beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

3-Day Ticket Packages start at $115 and Daily Tickets start at $50.

For VIP Hospitality Ticket Packages or large groups (15+) please contact Moran Lavi via email: tickets@ita.co.il Free Parking City of Sunrise Complex 10650 West Oakland Park Boulevard Signs on Oakland Park Blvd. will direct traffic to this parking area There is a continuous shuttle from the City of Sunrise Complex, two blocks west of Nob Hill Road off of Oakland Park Boulevard on the south side of the road. ### U.S. MEDIA CONTACT For more event information or to setup interviews and arrange for live shots Jack Heilig, Ph: 954.634.2299 or Jack@TrifectaTeam.com MEDIA CREDENTIALS Requests are to be made by an Editor, Producer or Director In the request please include the name of your outlet, media member's first and last name, role (writer, photographer, onair talent, etc), email address & cell phone for each media member and date(s) of coverage.

Email requests to Ms. Ofra Friedman - Israel Tennis Association Media Officer Email: ofra@ita.co.il Please cc: Jack@TrifectaTeam.com Like us on Facebook Official Facebook Page

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Press Release For Immediate Release Israel Tennis Association -- September 11, 2014 Israel vs. Argentina Davis Cup World Group Play-off September 12-14, 2014 Sunrise (FL) Tennis Club 9605 W. Oakland Park Blvd.

Match Schedule Friday, Sept. 12 10:00am Gates Open, Ticket Office / Will Call Open 11:30am Two singles match on Stadium Court (best of 5 sets) Match 1: Bar Botzer (ISR) vs. Leonardo Mayer (ARG) Match 2: Dudi Sela (ISR) vs. Carlos Berlocq (ARG) The second singles match will start 15-30 minutes after the first match concludes.

Saturday, Sept. 13 10:00am Gates Open, Ticket Office / Will Call Open 11:30am Doubles match (best of 5 sets) Match 3: Jonathan Erlich / Andy Ram (ISR) vs. Federico Delbonis / Horacio Zeballos Sunday, Sept. 14 11:00am Gates Open, Ticket Office / Will Call Open 12:30pm Two singles match on Stadium Court (best of 5 sets) Match 4: Dudi Sela (ISR) vs. Leonardo Mayer (ARG) Match 5: Bar Botzer (ISR) vs. Carlos Berlocq (ARG) The second singles match will start 15-30 minutes after the first match concludes.

Tickets Tickets can be ordered online at www.SunriseDavisCup.com, by phone 877-934-3376 and at the Sunrise Tennis Club Ticket Office 3-Day Ticket Packages start at $115 and Daily Tickets start at $50.

For VIP Hospitality Ticket Packages or large groups (15+) please contact Moran Lavi via email: tickets@ita.co.il

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Press Release For Immediate Release Free Parking All Saints Catholic Church 10900 W Oakland Park Blvd, Sunrise, FL 33351 Signs on Oakland Park Blvd. will direct traffic to this parking area, which is one mile west of the Club.

There will be a continuous shuttle from the All Saints Catholic Church to the Sunrise Tennis Club. ### MEDIA CREDENTIALS Credentials are mandatory for access into the Sunrise Tennis Club.

In the request please include the name of your outlet, media member's first and last name, headshot (jpg) of themedia member and the role (writer, photographer, on-air talent, etc).

Email requests to Ms. Ofra Friedman - Israel Tennis Association Media Officer Email: ofra@ita.co.il Local Media Contact Jack Heilig, Ph: 954.634.2299 or Jack@TrifectaTeam.com Like us on Facebook Official Facebook Page

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Media Credentials Associated Press Tim Reynolds Walter Villa Richard Evans J Pat Carter

Sun Sentinel

Harvey Fialkov Ira Winderman Amy Beth Bennett Taimy Alvarez Mike Stocker Carline Jean

Florida Jewish Journal Marvin Glassman

Tennis East Coast Jonathan Morgan

Radio Caracol 1260 Horacio Gioffre Maria Ofelia Gioffre

ESPN Radio

Tomas Colombo

Miami Herald Michelle Kaufman

WSVN - TV / FOX Jessica Holly Steve Scheibner Julio Jara David Hunt Kenneth Tolliver

Florida Tennis Magazine Jim Martz

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Match Results Israel vs. Argentina Davis Cup World Group Play-off Septemeber 12-14, 2014 Sunrise (FL) Tennis Club

Final

Argentina 3 Israel 2 Sunday, September 14 Carlos Berlocq (ARG) def.

Bar Botzer (ISR) 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 Leonardo Mayer (ARG) def.

Dudi Sela (ISR) 6-2, 6-1, 6-4

Saturday, September 13

Jonathan Erlich / Andy Ram (ISR) def.

Federico Delbonis / Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3

Friday, September 12

Dudi Sela (ISR) d. Carlos Berlocq (ARG) 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2 Leonardo Mayer (ARG) def.

Bar Botzer (ISR) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1

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For More Information Jack Heilig Trifecta Team PR Jack@TrifectaTeam.com www.TrifectaTeam.com 98