How Will Tennis and Baseball Mix? By John Freeman

Written by: Staff on 26th January 2014

How Will Tennis and Baseball Mix? By John Freeman |

Davis Cup: US vs. Great Britain

How Will Tennis and Baseball Mix?

SAN DIEGO — It sounds like an idea right out of left field. Because it is.

The last day of the month, when the U.S. Davis Cup team welcomes its Great Britain counterpart to San Diego’s downtown Petco Park, usually a baseball venue, the tennis court will be aligned smack in the heart of left field.

That means it will be contested fully outdoors, without benefit of a roof or overhead protection.

The curious outdoor baseball-stadium configuration, a first in the annals of Davis Cup competition on U.S. soil, makes Round 1 of the 2014 Davis Cup – Friday, Jan. 31 and Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 1-2 – something of a wild card.

The setup allows a capacity of about 8,00 spectators, with temporary stands bordering courtside on three sides, along with Petco’s permanent left field bleachers.

What if it rains? That doesn’t happen much in San Diego’s mild winters, but things could get damp. In that case, the USTA’s chosen court surface, said to be slow clay, will likely absorb more moisture than hard court.

But the real reason for the USTA’s home-court prerogative rests with Britain’s No. 1 singles player, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, the event’s marquee player who much prefers a faster surface.

Murray’s American opponent is expected to be 6-9 John Isner, who like Murray is no great fan of clay with his booming serve. The USTA’s strategy is based on hopes that clay will measurably slow the more fleet-footed Murray.

Back in July, the Scotland-born Murray thrilled the British Isles with his Wimbledon win over top seed Novak Djokovic. In so doing, he became the first Briton since the legendary Fred Perry — who inspired the original Laurel Wreath tennis shirt — claimed the Fortnight back in 1937.

Though Murray’s health has been in question after his back surgery last September, he’s been actively training for this month’s Australian Open and is expected to compete in Davis Cup.

Other U.S. team members include Sam Querrey in No. 2 singles and the astounding duo of Bob and Mike Bryan, identical twins who continue to reign as the world’s top doubles team. Together, they have held the world’s top ranking for nearly 350 straight weeks, longer than any combo in tennis history.

The schedule of play:

Friday, Jan. 31, 10:30 am: Two singles matches
Saturday, Feb. 1, 11:30 am: One doubles match
Sunday, Feb. 2, 10:30 am: Two singles matches

And yes, Sunday’s singles sessions – be they meaningful or mere exhibitions — will be contested the morning of a football game known as the Super Bowl.

— John Freeman

Topics: American tennis news, British tennis news, Davis Cup, Sports, Tennis News, USA tennis news