Huge passion and the chance to make tennis history are the twin forces driving hosts Serbia into this weekend's Davis Cup final. Out to destroy the dream will be nine-times champions France.

One-time tennis minnow Serbia, which rose from the ashes of the former Yugoslavia, stands on the threshold of a first-ever trophy in the worldwide team competition.

Driving the side is world No3 Novak Djokovic, pushing himself through a long and tiring season but fully recharged as he tries to carry his nation to new glory.

"Playing in a Davis Cup final is the biggest success that my country ever had," said the 2008 Australian Open champion.

"Maybe we'll never have this opportunity again and we're looking forward to it.

"I came here on Sunday so I've had time to rest a little bit. Now I'm ready to practise and give my best throughout the weekend."

Joining Djokovic are good friends Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki, while Nenad Zimonjic brings confidence from last weekend's victory in doubles at the ATP World Tour Finals.

"It's the biggest achievement that we have as a country, in tennis," said Zimonjic.

"We won the World Team Championship last May in Dusseldorf without Novak on the team. That shows we have a pretty good team without him.

"But obviously with him it's much, much stronger. I bring a lot with the doubles. But then the second player, who is either Viktor or Janko, they're also doing their part."

Captain Bogdan Obradovic - like counterpart Guy Forget - is saving his final line-up choices for the last minute, to be revealed at today's draw ceremony.

Serbian fans will be out in their numbers at the 16200-capacity Belgrade stadium, where tickets sold out online within minutes. Officials have promised that in contrast to the notoriously violent Serbian football fans, the tennis crowds will be well behaved.

The venue is a lucky charm for the hosts, who have never lost there. But France bring a massive depth of talent to the wintry Serbian capital, and are set to field a strong side even without injured world No12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Forget can pick from two-times Paris Bercy finalist Gael Monfils, Gilles Simon and dual-threat Michael Llodra, holder of three grand slam doubles titles.

A question mark hangs over veteran Arnaud Clement, with the 32-year-old hoping for a change of luck after being left out of a Davis Cup finals doubles line-up three times at the last minute.

The opening singles rubbers are set for tomorrow, doubles will be played on Saturday and the reverse singles on Sunday.

• Live from tomorrow on Supersport 5 from 2.45pm