Jonas Björkman has been appointed captain of Sweden's Davis Cup team, according to Mitt i. The former player, who lives in Saltsjöbaden, will lead the side in a home play-off tie against Ukraine at Kungliga tennishallen in Stockholm on 6–7 February.
In a statement carried by the outlet, Björkman said the appointment meant a great deal to him and that accepting was an easy decision once he was asked.
Why it matters
The captaincy puts one of Sweden's most decorated players in charge of the national team at a moment when it needs to win a play-off to stay in the competition's upper tier. Björkman reached fourth in the world in singles and first in doubles during his career, and he won the Davis Cup three times as a player, Mitt i reports.
Ulf Rosberg, chairman of the Swedish Tennis Association, said in the same outlet's coverage that the federation was delighted Björkman had taken the role. Rosberg pointed to his experience at the highest international level in both singles and doubles as something he can bring to the team.
A familiar celebration returns
Mitt i notes that Björkman's well-known victory gesture, the "Brysselsteget" — a step he borrowed from the Swedish comedy group Galenskaparna — is expected to make a comeback now that he is back in the Davis Cup fold. The outlet describes the move as the celebration he used during his playing days.
Björkman remains involved with the Saltsjöbadens Lawntennisklubb, according to the report.
The appointment was reported by several Swedish outlets on Thursday, including Aftonbladet, SVT Nyheter, Sveriges Radio and Expressen, alongside Mitt i.
What to watch: whether Björkman names his squad and support staff ahead of the February tie, and how Sweden performs at home against Ukraine with a place in the competition at stake.
