In tennis, one match can change the course of history! During the 2013 Davis Cup, the Americans were leading the tie 2-0 against Brazil, and winning the next few matches did not seem unlikely! But what unfolded next was a comedy of errors when John Isner faced Thomaz Bellucci, ultimately turning Isner’s teammate, Sam Querrey’s, confidence into despair, and pushing him to a sweat-drenched thriller match! Let’s hear the ‘classic story’ from the players themselves!

Remember when Isner and Sam Querrey led America to a strong start with two victories in the opening singles match in the 2013 Davis Cup? Well, they almost put the team on the cusp of the quarterfinals, but unfortunately, there came a huge twist to the story when the Bryan brothers (Bob and Mike Bryan) fell to Brazil’s doubles players, Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soars, in the next match!

Recalling those tense moments, after a decade, during the “Nothing Major” podcast’s September 14th episode, Isner and the former world no. 11 player, Querrey, reflected on the hilarious twist of that event.

“The Bryans lost on Saturday. And I’m playing Bellucci, good player….” said Isner when Querrey brought up the events of that match, leading Isner to reveal the “classic story.” Surprisingly, the former world no. 8 player, sadly fell short to Bellucci by 6-2, 4-6, 7-6, (9-7), 4-6, 3-6, mounting up the pressure more on Querrey, who was up against Thiago Alves next! However, Sam Querrey, convinced of Isner’s victory, did not even pack an extra shirt that day! But then he had to suddenly take up the responsibility to save America from an immense loss in the Davis Cup. 

“I was so sure you were going to beat Bellucci in an indoor hard-court, like zero chance you lost, I was just chilling in the locker. I remember having little Reese’s pieces after you like won the first set or the second set,” added Querrey, leaving everyone in stitches during the episode. Isner jumped in and added, “If Sam loses 5th match, we get relegated… You were sweating so much. It [the shirt] was stuck to your skin,” while Querrey further emphasized his shock at the then World No.16 player, Isner’s loss to Bellucci, whom Querrey defeated a couple of days before that match!

But worry not, as Sam Querrey saved the day finally by beating Alves 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3) leading the US to a 3-2 victory over Brazil! And his comments after the match revealed his “happiness” following a crucial victory in the Davis Cup!

Sam Querrey’s reflections after the tough Davis Cup match against Brazil

The then World No. 20 player, Sam Querrey, could not make a strong start in the fifth match in the Davis Cup, which happened for the first time for America since 2000. But by the third set, Querrey established full control over Alves only to finish the match with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3). He added, “I was very happy with the way” that he fought in the match after the match.

Furthermore, the now 36-year-old former tennis pro added, “I fought through the tough points and got breaks in the second, third, and fourth sets. I was just happy to get through it,” after sending America into the quarterfinals in 2013. Even the then captain of the team, Jim Courier, praised Querrey for his amazing performance and analyzed his game, stating, “Sam faced some adversity at the end and played a great tiebreaker to get past, not closing it out on serve.” This unforgettable Davis Cup encounter serves as a reminder that even the best-laid plans can go awry and that a little extra preparation (and a spare shirt) can go a long way.