Serbian Davis Cup captain Viktor Troicki addresses Novak Djokovic's absence

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• Novak Djokovic

Serbian Davis Cup team captain Viktor Troicki admitted that Novak Djokovic's presence would have benefited the team but added he doesn't want to complain as he wants the younger players to step up and lead Serbia to success.

Djokovic, who helped Serbia win their first and lone Davis Cup title in 2010, is skipping this week's Davis Cup Finals group stage action. In the absence of Djokovic, Troicki nominated Miomir Kecmanovic, Laslo Djere, Filip Krajinovic, Dusan Lajovic and Nikola Cacic.

In Group B - located in Valencia - Serbia will be taking on Spain, Canada and Korea. “With his [Djokovic’s] presence it’s much easier,” Troicki noted, per the Davis Cup Finals website. “He was there for our team so many times and he helped us win many matches, but the future is on the younger players and they need to get ready and take the responsibility and get those important wins for the team.

The boys deserve to be in the team. In the future it’s going to be more and more matches that Novak is not with us. These players need to bring their best and do the best for the team”.

Djokovic could join the Serbian team in Malaga

There are four groups, each consisting of four nations.

The two top ranked nations from each group will progress into the Davis Cup Finals knockout stage, which is scheduled for Malaga. Should Serbia make the Davis Cup Finals knockout phase, Djokovic would give his best to try to help his team win the title.

“He [Djokovic] couldn’t make it this time, but he’s been with us for so many matches. He’s going to be supporting us. He wants us to win. He wants to join us [in Malaga for the Final 8]. We’ll try to deliver that," Kecmanovic said. It remains to be seen if Serbia can make it out of Group B without Djokovic.