PORTLAND - Winning the Davis Cup is a career highlight of the United States players, but Saturday was also a highlight for some select Skyview High School tennis players.A group of young Pacific Northwest players including 10 from Skyview took part in the pre-match ceremonies, carrying in flags of the nations that participate in Davis Cup.
They had an up-close-and-personal view of the U.S. and Russian players as the teams were introduced to the sold-out Memorial Coliseum.
"To see the Davis Cup final is a huge deal for us," said Skyview senior Craig Johnson who carried the Venezuelan flag. "It was way more th an I expected. I never thought I'd be there on court."
Skyview junior Zach Lyons, who carried the Ecuador flag, had similar feelings.
"It was quite an experience to be there on court with all the players," he said.
Plus getting to watch the doubles match had its benefits.
"I was able to see the different techniques and setups," said junior Marley Hughes, who carried i n the China flag. Also participating from Skyview were Sam Bradley-Kelly, Bryce Church, Chris Erkkila, Carly Wagner, Megan Stanley, Megan Lanigan, and Tori Patton.
For Skyview coach Mark Ray, who helped get his players some recognition by being a registered "no-cut" tennis program with the USTA, it was a great day.
"I'm just thrilled with the USTA, how they made juniors central to this day," he said. "The whole success of this sport is young people."
Matches continue today
There will be matches today even though the U.S. has clinched the Davis Cup title.
Today's schedule beginning at 1 p.m. has Andy Roddick playing Mikhail Youzhny, followed by James Blake playing Dmitry Tursunov.
These "dead rubbers" will be best of three sets. Team captains can substitute a player up to one hour prior the match.
After play, the Davis Cup trophy will be presented the United States for a record 32nd time.
Practice players play role
Just because they didn't play any of the rubbers, U.S. practice players share equally in the team victory.
Mardy Fish, Robby Ginepri, Donald Young and John Isner joined the celebrations on court Saturday and were just as drenched as Blake and Roddick for the post-match news conference.
"No matter what, I've always felt like part of the team," said Fish, who is the third-ranked American behind Roddick and Blake and is 39th in the world.
Roddick said: "It's been like a family and for Mardy to be a practice partner, that needs to be acknowledged."
Blake added that the Davis Cup is not about just four guys.
"Everyone up here has contributed," he said pointing to all the players on the podium. "It has not just been a one-year journey."
What comes next?
Looking ahead, the U.S. team will begin 2008 Davis Cup play at Austria, Feb. 8-10. The tie will be on clay in Vienna. The winner of that tie will face either Romania or France.
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