Switzerland and U.S.A begin their Davis Cup first round tie in Fribourg on indoor clay.
The teams met in the city for the draw, for photographs and to train.
There is an extra buzz about the tie because the world number three Roger Federer has made himself available for this first round, for the first time in eight years.
Federer, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, leads the Swiss team against a U.S. team led by Mardy Fish as Andy Roddick is injured. First opponent for Federer will be the lanky John Isner, who says his clay court game is not too bad.
Federer said his match, and all the matches, would be difficult.
"I think it is going to be a tough match, I think it is going to be a tough tie regardless. I think all the matches are going to be extremely close. I don't see a match where I can say this should be an easy one. There are only top ten, twenty, thirty players involved here and that makes it extremely difficult for both teams," said the world number three.
Isner said that he relished the challenge.
"It is very tough but it is also something that I am very excited about," said the 206 cm (six foot nine inch) player. "I've played in Davis Cup against Novak Djokovic in Serbia before, so I think it should be pretty similar to that. And obviously it is a very tough task ahead of me but you know I am willing and able to go out there and I am obviously going to give it my best shot."
USA captain Jim Courier faces a daunting prospect. Federer played against USA in 2001 in Basle and won all three of his rubbers to help defeat the U.S. team.
"I was surprised that Roger played, he hasn't played since 2004 in the first round," said Courier. "Our goal is to win whoever is before us, we don't control that. Would it be easier if Roger wasn't playing? Of course. Is it a bigger challenge with him playing? Absolutely. Will it be more satisfying if we get through the weekend? Of course."
Federer will be partnered by his Olympic Gold medal team mate Stanislas Wawrinka in the doubles competition.
Mardy Fish plays Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka in Friday's first singles with Federer against Isner second.
In the doubles Federer and Wawrinka will play Mike Bryan and Ryan Harrison, then the reverse singles sees Federer play Fish and Wawrinka play Isner.
Switzerland's other nominated players - Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer - are standing by.
Reuters