Seems a nice person, is genuinely here (seven years is a long time) - what's not to like? Welcome, Mr Bedene. That said, I understand the ITF rule: there have been some remarkable DC-related allegiance switches over the years, and the rule seems fair generally, even if it catches some people who would have genuine reasons for a change. If he can't play Davis Cup, so be it. But it will be nice to have him as a GB-flagged player generally.

Spaced wrote:

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IF he's eligible and allowed to play DC by the ITF . . . . .

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This cannot be an arbitrary decision by the ITF unless they're spoiling for a fight. Whether you're allowed to play or not has to be determined objectively and the rule itself defended otherwise the player can resort to the CAS. We see this all the time in cases involving drugs, including two recent doping cases in tennis.

indiana wrote:

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Eddie, I don't think anyone here was suggesting that Aljaz only properly becomes British when Wimbledon comes round.

If you are referencing the quote of Steven's post about adding him to the top 25 table and speculating about Wimbledon, that was written quite some time ago and I took it as merely guessing that that might be about when his British citizenship was confirmed so that he became British as a tennis player too.

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Apologies all for any confusion. And thanks indy. Stevens post that i quoted was indeed some time ago. Last May in fact, when it was initially thought it would be a couple of months. Obviously it's taken considerably longer. Hence my post.

Nice of Andy to welcome Aljaz's citizenship.

But in his position I really think that he should have kept stum re the Davis Cup.

I admit my own view is that GB should simply pick the team most likely to get the W and that includes Aljaz if and when he becomes eligible, and others no doubt do think the current DC players 'deserve to stay in place.

An appeal decision on Aljaz's DC eligibility may be some time off, but maybe not so far, and I don't think Andy should be effectively publicly declaring a position like that, no doubt causing some further public debate, and making it more likely that Leon will be put on the spot unnecessarily soon.

"Andy says he wants the current Davis Cup players to remain in place, what's your view Leon ?".

Nice one Andy - not.

As soon as he has pledged allegiance to HRH we should welcome him aboard the good ship Brittania. Gets a good press ie makes the news for the quality of his tennis and not much else, we need a few of those! I can't see him getting picked for DC for sometime as the teams doing so well.

I have to say that I thought Andy answered the question well - media people must be looking for him to say something potentially controversial and he didn't.

Thank you very much Madeline and sorry forum, sorry Andy.

No, I had seen nothing more than that tweet from Delyth Lloyd, who I admit I didn't know from Adam. I now gather that she is a Manchester based BBC sports reporter.

So if she was going by that Sky interview ( although being a BBC reporter she may have another source for this ) her paraphrasing "... Thinks though current Davis Cup players deserve their places" was at least misleading, particularly in how I and many others could interpet it, and maybe worse.

Anyway, I am pleased to hear of Andy's diplomatic, and indeed no doubt well meant, reponse on Sky, and hope that he has not otherwise publicly said what Delyth indicated.

Sorry again, and not wishing to put any more focus on Andy here, let's move on ...