Davis Cup debutante Rajeev Ram tips U.S. team for deep run at Finals

WATCH: Ram and Salisbury finished runner-up at Turin's inaugural staging of the ATP Finals last week.

The American Davis Cup team's newest member, Rajeev Ram, is also one of its most experienced. At 37 years old, Ram is one of the older players to play in the team competition for the first time, but he's just as eager as any youngster just starting on tour.

And something that won't be new for him is the location. Ram and his doubles partner, Britain's Joe Salisbury, just reached the final at the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, which is also where the Americans will be playing Davis Cup group competition against Italy and Columbia this week.

“To get to be here in Turin is cool because we are going to have spectators. But it's still going to be a bubble for us as players, which we haven't had for some time. It's going to be tough,” Ram told press at Turin. “But that's the way it is. Regardless, couldn't be more excited to play on the team.”

Ram will play on a team that also includes John Isner, Reilly Opelka, Frances Tiafoe, and Jack Sock. Ram, who is ranked No. 4 in the doubles and has won 22 doubles titles, is likely to play with Sock.

He brings two things the team has a lot of—big serving and doubles success—and says that gives them a good chance of success.

“We've got a great squad, to be honest. I think we have one of the best serving teams, I'm not going to say of all time, but of the group currently that's playing Davis Cup,” Ram said. “I feel like that's a big advantage for us.”

The almost 7-foot tall Isner and Opelka, who is 7 feet, both have huge deliveries. The noticeably speedy conditions in Turin will also help the team, adds Ram.

“That's suitable for everyone on our team," he said. I feel like we have fairly strong doubles and guys in singles that on their day can beat anyone on the day. I am pretty excited for our first matches, against Italy.”

Salisbury is also playing the Davis Cup for the first time. Britain will play in Innsbruck, Austria, to start, but with no fans due to a national lockdown. The quarterfinals will be played next in Madrid, where crowds are still scheduled.

“Obviously it's a shame, especially it will be my first Davis Cup experience. Yeah, it won't be the same as normal,” Salisbury said. “That's obviously one of the great things about Davis Cup, is you get an amazing atmosphere. So, it's disappointing that's going to be the case, but obviously, hopefully, we can get through the group stages and get to Madrid, and there will be a crowd there.”

Britain plays against France and the Czech Republic in group competition.