US May Have A Clay Court For Davis Cup Tie In January

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 7th November 2013

US May Have A Clay Court For Davis Cup Tie In January

epa01334665 A player casts a shadow on the clay court during WTA Tournament 'German Open' in Berlin, Germany, 05 May 2008. The 'German Open' began the same day during bright sunshine. 'Steffi-Graf-Stadion', where the tournament takes place, is situated at 'An der Hundekehle' in Berlin's borough 'Grunewald'. EPA/Wolfgang Kumm |

United States Davis Cup captain Jim Courier is expected to order a slow red-clay court on the San Diego Chargers’ Petco Park for next year’s Davis Cup World Group opener against Great Britain because the surface is believed to be the most alien to Andy Murray and the rest of the visiting team.

However British captain Leon Smith maintains Courier’s thinking is wrong and believes it could help his expected team of Murray, Dan Evans and the doubles duo of Colin Fleming and Jonny Marray in the tie set to run from January 31 to February 2.

The American team will be in relative uncharted territory as no home team have played on clay in the States since the dream team of Courier, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe beat a Sweden line-up featuring Stefan Edberg 4-1 at Minneapolis’ Target Center in the fall of 1992.

Smith said: “We have players who play quite a full clay-court schedule, so I think it might work in our favor.

“Plus “I’m a little bit surprised they have put down clay as an option for themselves. All four of those players who are likely to play, if it’s the Bryans [Bob and Mike], or John Isner, or Sam Querrey, their best shot is their serve, so it certainly gives our players a little bit more time on that which will help.”

The US be aiming for five wins out of five against Great Britain who have not beaten the competition’ other founding nation since 1932.

The match will be played on a temporary court in an arena that will seat about 8,000 people and Smith added: “I’ve seen a few of the pictures of it and what the design might look like and it looks pretty exciting. I think it’s a novel idea and certainly something to which we’ll be looking forward.”

Britain won their very last match on clay when Murray returned to the fold after a two year absence and starred in a 4-1 win over Croatia in Umag just after the recent US Open.

Currently Smith is concentrating on getting Murray back to full fitness and said: “I think the most important thing is Andy’s health and getting back for that first event.

“He is due to play Doha [in late December/early January] and then Australia and we won’t really know until he is back in full swing. I have seen him in the last couple of days. He is working extremely hard and making sure he leaves no stone unturned to get back on court.”

US captain Courier said: “Andy Murray is one of the strongest players in the sport and we expect our home crowd to come out and support us in what will be a thrilling Davis Cup tie.

“Our squad is ready to go up against a tough adversary in the British squad.”