Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/1506668
me that I can compete at the highest level. "When you beat players like Nadal and Tsitsipas, it gives you the confidence to go on court and work even harder. It shows that I can become a top 10 player and hopefully even more one day. "I don't want to set too many goals, but top 10 would be the next step for me now. I have been No. 12 in the world and hopefully I can make it even better now by reaching the top 10. The most important thing is to be healthy and then the results will come." When Coric looks back on his career in years to come, the pivotal role he played in Croatia's 2018 Davis Cup victory is certain to feature as prominently as last year's success in Cincinnati. Borna describes his epic five-set win against Frances Tiafoe in the decisive rubber of the 2018 Davis Cup semi-final as "a special match in my career" and he backed that up with a victory against France's Jeremy Chardy in the opening match of the final against France in Lille. "One of the best feelings in tennis is to play Davis Cup, especially in front of a home crowd," says Coric, who has 16 Davis Cup singles wins. "I have been dreaming about winning the Davis Cup since I was a kid. I remember watching in 2005 when Croatia won and I was saying how much I would like to play Davis Cup one day. Then to be part of the team that won it in 2018 was amazing." Now, Coric is preparing to lead the Croatia team in the Davis Cup Finals Group Stage, playing in Group D on home soil in Split, with matches against Netherlands, USA and Finland lying in wait for a Croatia side captained by Vedran Martic. "You don't get to play in this environment very often and it is something very special," he added. "Playing at home in front of my family is amazing and it is going to be nice to play in Split. It is still going to be summertime and it's going to be nice, for sure." When you have stared into an injury abyss that cast a dark cloud over your tennis career, the chance to perform in front of joyous Croatian fans in a tournament that means so much to a tennis-loving nation matters that much more. Coric will be driven to succeed in the Davis Cup Finals and as he has proved since his comeback from injury, anything is possible when this gifted player is at his best. n BORNA CORIC INTERVIEW ITF World Summer 2023 9 Clockwise from far le : Li ing the Davis Cup trophy in 2018; Coric recently successfully partnered with Donna Vekic to win the Hopman Cup for Croa a; in full flow in 2022; Coric was the 2013 US Open boys' champion; making his Davis Cup debut in 2013