Bonding comes first before Davis Cup play begins

The 2017 Davis Cup season kicks off with first-round action this weekend, and around the world, the team nominees are putting in the work to bond with each other and the community around them. Argentina, the defending champions, will have to start their title defense against Italy without leading star Juan Martin del Potro.

Here’s a look at how some of the pros are spending their time before laying it all out for national pride with round one of team action taking place this coming weekend.

Jack Sock of Team USA knows the impact of hitting the court with the kids.

As do Jordan Thompson and captain Lleyton Hewitt of Australia.

Maybe one of those kids will soon find themselves in a similar situation to Canadian Denis Shapovalov, serving and volleying his way onto the team at the age of 17.

The Aussies also made time for their own fun and games, which perhaps no junior should ever play.

Camaraderie is a huge part of Davis Cup, a feeling that can extend past borders and matchups as first-round opponents Daniil Medvedev of Russia and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic show.

Strengthening bonds can be done anywhere, as Paolo Lorenzi and Team Italia demonstrate.

“Afternoon workout…but where is it?!??”

There’s also time to celebrate over the week before the action starts, as Japan’s Taro Daniel found out.

For Richard Gasquet and the rest of the French team, traveling the world allows you to share meals with new friends.

The scheduled matches are: United States vs. Switzerland, Australia vs. Czech Republic, Canada vs. Great Britain, Serbia vs. Russia, Italy vs. Argentina, Japan vs. France, Germany vs. Belgium and Croatia vs. Spain.

Play begins Friday.