By Andrew Chmura

(September 27, 2010) What would entice someone to travel to Bogota, Colombia?  If you're not a coffee connoisseur or into other popular Colombian exports, why make the eight-hour plus plane ride to one of the most dangerous cities in the world? 

This last weekend while the Red Sox were falling out of contention and the Patriots were playing a grudge match against their rivals, the Jets, the US Davis Cup team was battling to avoid relegation in a Davis Cup World Group Playoff, tie (tie is the term used to describe a Davis Cup match between two countries) against a talented Colombian team.  For us Americans tennis is not a top tier sport, but throughout South America and Colombia it is second to football (soccer).  And having a chance to beat a competitive American team at home is a tremendous opportunity for the Colombian team.

Playing a Davis Cup tie in a country like Colombia has to be one of the most difficult tasks to ask of any individual athlete.   These matches were played at 8,500 feet above sea level.  This is not only physically strenuous but also requires a different set of strategies to be executed on the court.  Because of the altitude, this tie was played with Tretorn pressure less balls (dead tennis balls).  These unique tennis balls fly through the air like ping pong balls, then die like a rotten tomato when hitting the soft clay court.  Without proper preparation and practice in these conditions it is practically impossible to perform at or near the top of one's game. 

Now add a converted bull ring (The Plaza Toros Santa Maria) with 15,000 screaming, horn blowing, drum pounding, flag waving, dancing and chanting Colombians energizing the home team, and you have a difficult set of circumstances through which to navigate, particularly for a young and inexperienced American team.  Luckily the American team of Sam Querry, John Isner, 18-year-old Ryan Harrison, who was making his Davis Cup debut, also had a resurgent and fit, Mardy Fish on the team.

On day one, American No. 1 Fish rallied to a spectacular five-set victory against Alejandro Falla, Colombia's No. 1 player.   That name should sound familiar, Falla served for the match against Roger Federer in the first round this year at Wimbledon.  In the second match America's No. 2 player Sam Querry was severely outplayed by a gifted Santiago Giraldo in three straight sets.  On day two, our newly formed doubles team of  Fish and Isner defeated the Colombian team of Robert Farah and Carlos Salamaca.

This put the Americans one match from victory with two singles matches to play.  This may appear to be a good position fir the Americans, but only one person has shown the fortitude to handle the unique set of circumstances that exist in the bullring of Bogota.  This would set, on the final day, what everyone considered to be the deciding match of the tie, Fish the strongest player on the team, going up against Santiago Giraldo who was currently playing the best tennis of his career. 

The last American to win three points and clinch a Davis Cup tie was Pete Sampras in the 1995 finals in Moscow.  In these conditions in front of this partisan crowd, it would take nothing less than a heroic effort by Fish.

At one set a piece I thought to myself how the Colombian crowd at The Plaza Toros Santa Maria inherently possesses more rhythm in their cheering and support of their players.  The wave seamlessly rolled around the bull ring like Baryshnikov in a never-ending pirouette.  The pounding of the drums sent a unified call to victory from all parts of the bull ring.  The red, yellow, and blue of the Colombian flag filled each seat with manic enthusiasm. 

This bull ring was bouncing with nationalistic pride.  And everyone knew the importance of the next three sets.  The Colombian crowd had a deap understanding of the importance of each point, yet their sportsmanship was not lacking, as they respectfully supported superior shots made by the Americans.  

The match up to this point had proven to be full of streaks, and driven by who had control of the energy on court.  This is so important in tennis, but even more important in Davis Cup competition.  With a biased and supportive crowd in your favor it's much easier to use that energy and the confidence that comes with it.  Santiago was visibly doing this, pumping his fists to the crowd on every opportunity.  Mardy was using his coach Patrick McEnroe and the five or six Americans lining the visitors bench as support.  

A combination of errors and amazing running forehands by Giraldo, and Fish lost a break deep in the third set.  As if the match wasn't dramatic enough, the heavens opened wide letting forth a drizzle that made the already soft and dead clay court, even slower.  Fish looked a little shaken, making more errors, and exhibiting questionable shot selection.   What he lacked in support and precision, he made up in will and fortitude.  An over-rule and a tight double fault by Giraldo gave Fish and team USA a two sets to one advantage.  The crowd was antsy and a few seat cushions have flew onto the court, aimed at Fish and team USA.  The drizzle turned to rain and things looked bleak.


Whistles and calls from the native crowd between serves became increasingly louder and more distracting.   At one all in the fourth, mardy dove for a volley and sliced the back of his playing hand on the clay, then missed an easy volley.  Blood stained  Fish's shirt, and dripped from his knee.  Fish played a terrible service game at 2-all, two unforced errors followed by a double fault.  Fish is broken and the ring bounced to life again.

Fifth set.  The whistles and obvious attempts to distract Fish seem to be paying off for the Colombians.  If I were in Fish's shoes I would have been on my third cracked racquet by now… At this stage I considered offering 50 million Colombian pesos for the blow horn the guy behind me blew into my ear after ever point won by Giraldo.  The songs, chanting, whistles grew louder and louder, especially when Mardy was getting ready to serve.  The atmosphere is electric. 

Fish was broken at 5-all and the Colombians were in a frenzy.  Dancing and chanting in a rhythm I only wish I had.  Giraldo had a chance to serve out the match and could forever be remembered as a hero in his country.  At this stage I wondered if he thought about Andres Escobar, the soccer player that scored an own goal in the World Cup and was killed in 1994 Medellin, Colombia upon his return… Before I returned from finishing this brutal daydream through history, Fish had broken back on a trio of unforced errors by Giraldo.   Fish then saved two break points and hit a few amazing drop volleys to take a 7-6 lead.   Serving to stay in the match you could see the nerves overwhelming Giraldo.  Fish was bouncing and playing with the energy of a hero sensing that victory is within his grasp.  Within the stadium you could feel the tension in the air, and hear it in the less enthusiastic chants circling the stadium.   Giraldo failed to hold serve and Fish captured the Davis Cup tie for the American team.  

A sullen and broken Giraldo left the court in front of the astonished Colombian crowd.  Fish dropped to the court and was attacked in jubilation by his teammates.  This effort and victory may not receive the press attention or the dollars that a US Open victory would,  but in my estimation it was more impressive.  Mardy Fish played 14 sets in 3 days at 8,500 feet, with 15,000 screaming Colombians all cheering for his demise.  He was forced to change his game many times to adjust to the conditions of the balls, the court, and the crowd.  It takes a dedicated and focused athlete to survive, let alone prevail in an atmosphere like that in Bogota.   

Walking away from this incredible match I could not help but feel somewhat philosophical.  The match ended exactly as it should have.  In the face of adversity it is preparation, fortitude and perseverance that entitles the competitor to survive.  Fish displayed an abundance of these qualities  and should be recognized for his heroic performance.


Andrew Chmura is the President of Grand Slam Tennis Tours, has competed on the satellite circuit, played tennis for the University of Notre Dame, and held the No. 1 ranking in New England as a junior. He loves to travel the world with his snowboard and tennis racquet in search of the perfect turn and forehand