In such an individual world as tennis, one of Mark Nielsen's major goals before he puts his racquet away is as the member of a team.
"I think I have a couple of good years left in me but my goal before I retire," the Kiwi No 1 said sleepily just hours after returning from Japan, "is to make sure the [Davis Cup] team gets back to group 1 [of Asia/Oceania].
"I think that we can."
The 27-year-old has a chance to do that sooner rather than later when he leads New Zealand against Korea in the group 2 final at North Harbour this week.
Although New Zealand have a good record against Korea with a 7-1 win ratio, the home side will start as underdogs against a side headed by world No 93 Hyung-Taik Lee. Nielsen is ranked 377 with Ruben Statham next best at 658.
For too long New Zealand has looked to Nielsen to carry the country's chances on his shoulders - something he's palpably aware of - but the player who once climbed to 172 in the world sees better days on the horizon.
"The younger guys are starting to get better so the team is getting stronger," he explained.
"In the past we've been getting weaker so if we don't get back to group 1 this year, it will be in the near future. It'll have to be a team effort if we are to win this tie."
Nielsen heads into the final in good form having won a US$15,000 ($21,000) futures event in Japan last week and making the semifinals of a similar event the week previously.
This has been partially offset by the withdrawal of GD Jones, unbeaten in his four Davis Cup matches, due to a pelvic injury.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
Tennis: Always a team player
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