BERLIN: Philipp Kohlschreiber is hoping to shake off his bad-boy image when he ends his Davis Cup exile on Friday as Germany host 2014 finalists France.
A disagreement with ex-Germany captain Carsten Arriens meant Kohlschreiber last played for his country in the Davis Cup a year ago.
He was part of the German team which were booed by their own crowd in Frankfurt after having to forfeit a match in their 4-1 win over Spain due to injuries.
Germany bowed out to eventual finalists France in the quarter-finals, but without Kohlschreiber, who has been accused at being involved in the sacking of both Arriens and his predecessor Patrik Kuehnen.
Now Germany's number one player just wants to focus on doing well in the first-round tie to help shake off his bad-boy reputation.
"I'm calm, I'm the bad guy," he said with Kohlmann set for his first match in charge.
"As soon as I say something, I am the bad guy anyway, so it doesn't really matter what I do."
Kohlschreiber, ranked 28th in the world, says he "had nothing to do" with Arriens and Kuehnen's dismissals.
"Even if you want to hold it against me, the German Tennis Federation (DTB) make their own decisions," said the 31-year-old who has won two of his seven ATP matches this season.
But Kohlschreiber is still affected by the memories of being booed by his home crowd in February 2014.
With Germany 4-0 up on the final day, injury to himself, Tommy Haas and Florian Mayer meant they had to forfeit their final singles rubber against Spain.
"I hope the public will help the German team. I am a part of that and it's a good thing," he said.
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