The Davis Cup - The British Perspective

The team is announced and Andy Murray is in it. I find it to be quite a delicate subject. Having left Davis Cup duties back in 2008 to focus on his 'Singles' career. Since it become public knowledge that non-participation in the Davis Cup would result in a player not being eligible to participate in the 2012 Olympic Games, I am sure British tennis fans have wondered whether Andy Murray would return to represent his country. Questions I have are, was Leon Smith right to pick Murray? Is Murray playing for the right reasons?

Please no player bashing from the Murray haters!! I want to see constructive comments and what people think on the moral of the Davis Cup in Britain.

Answers

1) Leon Smith must pick the best players available. Therefore if Murray makes himself available he gets picked.

2) Not sure if he is playing for the right reasons and suspect if it had not been a stipulation he would have pulled out after his Wimbledon defeat. However given the fact that he has been British male tennis for the past 5 years I think he has earned the right to go to the Olympics. Remember he has played for Britain in the Hoffman Cup (?) the past two years All be it as part of his AO preparation.

From a personal point of view I wouldn't have tennis in the Olympics. The are are 4 slams a year which get huge media coverage. Tennis in the Olypics is a sideshow but that's a different discussion.

I'd love to see Murray win the Olympic gold medal - just to see him atop the rostrum while God Save The Queen is played

On another slightly different topic. Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins are now an established pairing and got to the Wimbledon QF's so why is the Davis Cup pairing Colin Fleming and Jamie Murray.

Davie wrote:I'd love to see Murray win the Olympic gold medal - just to see him atop the rostrum while God Save The Queen is played

That would be awesome.

Calder106 wrote:On another slightly different topic. Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins are now an established pairing and got to the Wimbledon QF's so why is the Davis Cup pairing Colin Fleming and Jamie Murray.

To try and keep Andy interested in playing, obviously.

i agree i dont think jamie should play and if he gets picked because of his brother thats a disgrace

Just 1 point LK

The last time Andy played DC was with an injured wrist. HE
won all his matches but the other Brits couldn't managed one between them!

After that debacle he was out of action for weeks due to his injury
Notice he played SPECIFICALLY against medical advice.

It's no wonder he was disallusioned.

With Andy onboard and James Ward showing some form this should result in a victory.

The doubles combo does however throw up some controversy.

Outer Mongolia and the Faroe Islands will be quaking.

bogbrush wrote:Outer Mongolia and the Faroe Islands will be quaking.

As a tennis guru you should know that a win here takes them yet another step forward to joining the Worlds elite

sportslover wrote:

bogbrush wrote:Outer Mongolia and the Faroe Islands will be quaking.

As a tennis guru you should know that a win here takes them yet another step forward to joining the Worlds elite

To be really honest, as a tennis guru I know that Davis Cup doesn't matter.

It does to Djokovic and Serbia, Nadal and Spain. I'm sure that Andy Murray would be more committed to it if there was stronger back up for him.

To you maybe to others and those that take part it does.

The difference being they are wrong.

I think GB has alot more to worry about that DC....like getting another player into the top 200 or even 100. Cant see how we'll ever get back into the Elite group with the players we have - Murray would have to carry the team the whole way, and then its not really a team is it.

Might as well be playing for the Mavis Cap as the Davis Cup.

Good to see Boggo playing again and qualifying for an ATP event. I know he played in the Wimbledon qualies but I think he was out injured prior to that; would he put pressure on Ward for the second singles spot if he does well? When is the DC game?

AC:DC...and just like an electric current, the DC will blow all our fuses when we get beaten by Luxemburg. A big fat damp squib is what it will be, but whatever the result, Murray will be able to play in the Olympics which is what he needed to do to get there.

as for up and coming players to take over from Murray and Ward, there's Liam Brody, but already the media are putting pressure on him by "nearly" winning the junior SW19 crown.

Some one who knows a lot about it is this chap.....

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/53825000/jpg/_53825235_3163342.jpg

anyone know/remember who he was, and why his experience is topical ?

Robert Dee

Oliver Golding and Liam Broady should be picked!

Anyone interested in watching the DC and who have Eurosport
it's on Eurosport 2 @ 3-45pm today ..

Thanks for the tip yummy

the LTA website is also streaming the british davis cup matches over the weekend for those who don't have access to a TV

Will this be another Andy over-kill

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jonathanoverend/2011/07/the_changing_times_of_the_davi.html

This is quite the interesting article for once from Jonathan Overend.

Should be a good debate to have.

Of course Murray should be selected - we certainly need him for 2012.

Quite agree with yummy, the last time he played he did so with wrist problem and won, only for GB to get beaten - until GB can challenge consistently, I think it is better for Murray and for Britain to have him fit and healthy for the major events. In the meantime, when he wants (or needs for qualification) to play, yes he should be selected - he is a world class player and the best we have by several country miles

Actually, really pleased that he is 'getting back in the saddle' straight away - I think it might be much better for him after tough semi loss and the fall out than waiting for US hardcourt season to begin.

Just read your article Legend - amazing how times change indeed!

Just imagining some time in the future when tennis players careers are judged by their performance in Davis Cup.

Slams have been reduced to no more than elaborate garden parties where the rich and famous go to be seen. The tennis is a side show where young local students get their annual chance to play on a big court in front of an audience. Nothing too distracting as the real business is taking place away from the courts over a nice lunch.

Roger Federer (if he is remembered at all) is known as a plucky player who tried his best but never quite managed to win the "big one".

What the .... is Leon thinking of playing DAN EVANS !!!!!!!!!

Ward v Muller

WHY is it that most of the LTA Brit Players look like under-nourished
little boys compared to the opposition

Did they ask for more and Draper said NO !!!!! ?

Who wants a bagel for supper??

Come on Andy!!

6-0 6-0 6-0 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If ONLY the rest of the GB team could do as well

If they could win a set it would be an achievement.

Having a dig at Ward are we yummy? well i thought you didn't like that sort of stuff..

Murray may struggle playing against Muller btw

Struggle against Muller?

Ward still has a chance against the alking rubber Murray faced.

Josiah Maiestas wrote:Having a dig at Ward are we yummy? well i thought you didn't like that sort of stuff..

Murray may struggle playing against Muller btw

I wasn't having a *dig* JM - just offering my *expert* opinion

was this 'Bram' playa just picked out from the crowd? lol

He might as well have been JM

SEE - We can converse in a civilised manner (occassionally)

wow wrote:Robert Dee

Not quite wow, it is Stanley Matthews Jnr, who last won the junior title way back in the mid 60's. He never went on to do anything major on the pro circuit, but his advice to Broady is to learn to take the early pressure that will burden his shoulders in the next few years.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/14003123.stm

Josiah Maiestas wrote:

Murray may struggle playing against Muller btw

I presume you aren't British then Josiah? The little wink was the give away.

look Muller just straight setted Ward who is only slightly below Murray talent-wise, pretty sure Murray will be back to playing counter-punch retriever!

Muller also pushed Nadal closer than Murray ever could on grass!

Slightly??

Muller didn't even take a set off Nadal!!

I say dear boy refrain from the utter rubbish in that last post!!

Ward only slightly below Murray talent-wise??

Jeez that comment has just blown the last shred of credibility you had left.

Not rtue LK when you consider that Nadal had to focus more against Muller due to his very tough serving yet when he's playing against Murray he isn't worried as he knows that the distant 4th seed will freeze and hand him a bunch of easy points, it really was a crime that Murray made the semi's with his limited play..

And you claim not to be a WuM with comments like that.

Josiah Maiestas wrote:look Muller just straight setted Ward who is only slightly below Murray talent-wise, pretty sure Murray will be back to playing counter-punch retriever!

Muller also pushed Nadal closer than Murray ever could on grass!

"slightly* ??? SLIGHTLY ???????????????
Are you in the same Universe as the rest of us JM - or do you rely on the Soup Dragon
for nourishment ?

I hereby declare that JM is a WUM and is not worthy of
a reply from any tennis Fan !!!!!!

In other words *Sshhhhhh* when *it* posts !

Smack my legs and bar me Mods but his remarks are getting
ridiculous - do something !

yummymummy wrote:

Josiah Maiestas wrote:look Muller just straight setted Ward who is only slightly below Murray talent-wise, pretty sure Murray will be back to playing counter-punch retriever!

Muller also pushed Nadal closer than Murray ever could on grass!

"slightly* ??? SLIGHTLY ???????????????
Are you in the same Universe as the rest of us JM - or do you rely on the Soup Dragon
for nourishment ?

Josiah knows as much about tennis as you do about bull-fighting yummy!

Sleep easy

Josiah Maiestas wrote:Not rtue LK when you consider that Nadal had to focus more against Muller due to his very tough serving yet when he's playing against Murray he isn't worried as he knows that the distant 4th seed will freeze and hand him a bunch of easy points, it really was a crime that Murray made the semi's with his limited play..

JM if logic were the legal the language and I could punish those guilty of not using it, I would make you wear a bagpipes and don't ask where the pipes would go!