Britain Moves Into Davis Cup World Group

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 16th September 2013

Britain Moves Into Davis Cup World Group

epa03849911 Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts after defeating Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan during their match on the ninth day of the 2013 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 03 September 2013. The US Open runs through Monday 09 September, a 15-day schedule for the first time. EPA/JASON DECROW |

For so long the British attempt to reinvent the founding nation as a Davis Cup force has been determined whether or not Andy Murray feels a compunction to play or not.

But after last weekend’s 4-1 victory over Croatia that reclaimed Britain a place in the 16 strong World Group after a five years absence, the Scot verbally committed himself to the cause.

Murray played the major role in beating a below strength Croatian team in Umag; winning both his singles rubbers in straight sets and also forcing victory alongside Colin Fleming in Saturday’s doubles.

On Wednesday, Britain’s name will go into the draw for the 2014 World Group for the first time since 2008 and Murray insisted, wherever the first round tie might be in early February, he wants to be there.

Britain has not won a tie in the World Group since beating Spain on a fast indoor carpet in the Midland town of Telford back in 1986 but world no.3 Murray maintained: “If I’m fit and healthy, I will be there to play. A couple of years ago that wasn’t the case when I sat down with captain Leon Smith.

“I wanted the younger guys to step up and experience it. There was no use in us being in the World Group because we weren’t ready for it.

“But now I think we are ready to do well. We have a top doubles team (in Fleming and either 2012 Wimbledon champion Jonny Marray or Ross Hutchins who will hopefully return to the men’s tour next year after being told the Hodgkins Lymphoma that has ruled him out this year is in remission). Dan Evans and James Ward will continue to improve and we’ve got the makings of a very solid team.”

Many who have long studied Britain’s Davis Cup fortunes may still view Murray’s declaration with some cynicism. He also played his part in Britain’s last promotion to the competition’s elite six years previously when he won both his singles rubbers in the 4-1 win ironically over Croatia six years ago on the grass of Wimbledon’s No.1 Court in a tie that is best remembered as Tim Henman’s last competitive outing before retirement.

However when the team came to contest the World Group’s first round in Argentina four months later, Murray made a late withdrawal after losing in the Australian Open fourth round, that left John Lloyd’s team in the lurch and deepened a family rift with his doubles playing elder brother Jamie that took several months to heal.

Looking ahead to Wednesday’s draw, Murray said: “I would just like a home tie, in a big arena, against one of the top teams.

“It is an incredibly difficult competition to win because some of the teams have so much depth. It depends on the ties and whether you are at home.

“We could easily draw Spain away in the first round and that would be an ugly match-up for us – very difficult to win. But it’s possible to go deep into the competition. Let’s enjoy this just now and wait and see the draw on Wednesday.”

Topics: 10sballs, Andy Murray, Davis Cup, Sports, Tennis, Wimbledon