The scariest Davis Cup I’ve ever experienced

The Davis Cup series I am talking about was played in Haiti, between March 30 and April 1, 1990. A few months before I was elected president of the Ecuadorian Tennis Federation (FET) and we played the first round in the American group, zone II. After Ricardo Ycaza was announced as the captain, the team was formed with Giorgio Carneade, Andrés Alarcón and Pablo Campana, a young man from Quito, who was invited for the first time, Luis Adrián Morejón – as a guest to accompany the team – and also the experienced Raúl Viver.

With us was Nicolás Macchiavello, who held the position of secretary of the South American Tennis Confederation (Consanat); journalists Manuel Mejía and Tyrone Florencia, from the press; and on Radio Caravana Gerardo España. The conditions for journalism were not adequate. Inexperience showed; for example, they did not have credentials ready. The Haitian communications company did not have the resources to service international connections at an acceptable level. It was the first time that Haiti hosted the Davis Cup.

The delegation of Ecuador traveled to Haiti on Sunday, March 25, 1990. At the airport, we were met by the president of the Haitian Tennis Association, Frantz Liautand. We stayed at the Montana Hotel, and from Monday training started at the Cercle Bellevue club. It was raining heavily in those days in Port-au-Prince, a city full of contrasts. In the upper part was the magnificent Government Palace, the residence of the privileged class – where the army lived – and where the Hotel Montana was located. In the lower part it was the most spacious and there the poverty and misery were impressive.

When the delegation’s vehicle stopped in any street in the center of the capital, it was immediately surrounded by a large number of Haitians banging on the windows begging for alms. It was a sign of the level of poverty suffered by the vast majority. We were able to see with great sadness the desperation of a neglected people and in those days attacked by HIV, the terrible virus that causes AIDS. Haiti’s capital seemed like a wounded and abandoned city, and this reality contrasted with that of the privileged sectors who held the absolute power of arms.

Haiti lived through an extensive political crisis, it was ruled by the Duvaliers, Papa Doc and their son Baby Doc for 30 years, and they were bloody for 30 years. Then the military took over, until the people tried to rise up, armed with dissident protest soldiers. due to abuse. The clash, days before the Davis Cup match against Ecuador, left more than 300 dead. The atmosphere was rarefied, tense. The army checked all visitors. The Ecuadorian delegation was not out of it and had some unsettling moments. The claims we made to the tennis authorities were blown away.

The main judge of the series was the Frenchman Michel Perot, and the draw was made in the same hotel where we were staying. At that time, Ronald Agenor was the main figure in Haiti, and his best ranking position was number 17 a few months ago. Meanwhile, Raúl Viver was number 280 on the ATP and Carneade was already number 406 in that classification.

Haiti captain Pat Chemaly also included Bertrand Lacombe as the number two racket, Rubén Lamothe and Ed Delphino, four very tall players, especially Lacombe who also played in the final at the tournament last month in the Dominican Republic.

live vs. Lacombe. Raúl, without a good match, little by little took advantage of the mistakes of Lacombe, who showed his serve as his best weapon, but missed a lot on the backhand. Although Viver won, he was very upset with his performance during the match. In one hour and 34 minutes, Viver won the first point for Ecuador with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Ricardo Ycaza, in statements to the radio, said that he was not satisfied with Viver’s performance, but that the point was important.

Agenor vs. Carnade. Giorgio, in his typical way, told me in the dressing room before the match: “I’m going to kill the famous tennis player from Haiti on the court.” Of course we thought that was an exaggeration. At the time of the match, there were about 800 spectators who truly enjoyed tennis and who could not wait for the triumph of Ronald Agenor, their idol. What we never expect is that Carneade plays that game so well, that it could not be completed for lack of light; at the time of the break, they were even in two sets: 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 4-6. The next day, starting at 09:00, the last set was won by Agenor.

Carneade-Campana vs. Agenor-Lamonthe. On Saturday, March 31, a doubles match was played, and the presidential box was filled with soldiers of various ranks. The press there was most obsessing over the Haitian Minister of Sports. The attaché of our delegation told us that the leaders should come to say hello, but she also told us that it was necessary to go through the security filter, where they had to do a proper search.

We reject that request, of course. Moments of uncertainty were experienced while observing the general’s moodiness. Given this reaction, we asked to be moved to the stands with tennis players from our team. We reported the complaint in the case to the representative of the International Tennis Federation due to inappropriate treatment. The Haitian Federation observed the FIT.

Captain Ycaza made Campana and Carneade play and their play was outstanding. Both Giorgio and Pablo surprised everyone present who filled the stadium. The Ecuadorians defeated the Haitians with a good net game. Campana’s speed attracted attention. Ecuador won 7-5, 7-6, 6-3 to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Agenor vs. Live. It was a clash of the most expert, the number one racket of each country. I saw the Haitian against Carneade on Friday and while it’s true that he had some outstanding shots, I wasn’t convinced by his overall level of play.

That day, Raúl Viver returned to the game unfocused, very nervous, and was sometimes seen arguing with Ricardo Ycaza. It was a technically bad match. Agenor took advantage of that and defeated him 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-1 and the series was tied 2-2.

Carneade vs. Lacombe. Again there was inspiration from Carneade. He was aggressive and very confident in the game. He constantly attacked Lacombe, who was having trouble with his best weapon, which was the serve. Carneade also knew that the tall Haitian tennis player was very slow, which he knew how to use. Carneade defeated him without any hesitation 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. The celebration of our victory was very modest. We retreated as quickly as possible to the hotel.

Upon his return to Ecuador, the father of tennis player Andrés Alarcón came out strongly against Ricardo Ycaza, whom he called a regionalist for not forcing his son to play. It was deservedly won, but the sad situation that the Haitians were going through and the tension that was experienced during the series remained in our memory. (OR)