Jim Courier Wanted A Roland Garros-Like Court, But Petco Park Court is Slippery

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 30th January 2014

Jim Courier Wanted A Roland Garros-Like Court, But Petco Park Court is Slippery

epa03100181 US Davis Cup Captain Jim Courier reacts during the Davis Cup World Group first round first match between Switzerland and the US in the Forum Arena in Fribourg, Switzerland, 10 February 2012. EPA/PETER SCHNEIDER |

United States captain Jim Courier’s instructions were that the red clay court for this week’s Davis Cup match with Great Britain should be a closely resembling those laid at Roland Garros for the French Open as possible. Andy Murray maintains those orders have unfortunately not been followed and the surface holds dangers for both sets of players.

Murray has been practicing on the court, laid at San Diego Padres’ Petco Park since Monday, and he still hasn’t quite come to grips with the surface. “It’s very, very slippy and not really red clay to be honest,” said the leading British player who is still very sensitive to potential injury after only just returning to the tour after undergoing back surgery.

“I just hope the court put down is safe and OK for the players to perform. It will be tough for everyone and John Isner has had a bad ankle for the last couple of weeks and has been struggling. The court will certainly be testing for the big guys on their team to move.”

Murray and the rest of the British team, including 19 year-old rookie Kyle Edmund who won back to back Futures events on Floridian green clay in the last two weeks, have tried various footwear in a bid to feel more stable. “It’s most certainly not like a traditional red clay court,” continued Murray.

“It’s quick, a lot quicker than the surfaces we normally play on in Monte Carlo, Rome, Madrid or Roland Garros. The last few days have been very different. I’m hitting the ball fine, it’s just getting used to the way we have got to move. All the players have been struggling.”

The British captain is aware his key player Murray is far from content, and must make a judgment call on whether the Scot should play all three days of the tie, taking on both singles and doubles duties. “The court has been slippy since day one of practice so this is going to be one of the challenges,” said Smith, who was Murray’s personal coach in junior days and probably knows the thought process of the 26 year-old better than anyone. “It’s not going to be easy.

“If Andy is healthy and happy then he plays all three days. But it won’t be until Saturday morning, when he gets out of bed and see how his body is feeling, that we make a decision on him playing doubles as well. If not we have other options with Dom Inglot being with the team along with Colin Fleming”

But Smith maintained: “Everyone is desperate to get out there on the match court for the actual matches and it’s a case of hats off to the United States Tennis Association for finding such a unique venue as a Major League Baseball stadium. It all looks very good.”

Topics: 10sballs, Andy Murray, Davis Cup, Jim Courier, Petco Park, Roland Garros, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News