Davis Cup 2015 - World Group Final - 27th-29th November

steven · Tennis legend

Davis Cup 2015 - World Group Final - 27th-29th November

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Gosh...a real chance you might have to change your tagline, Stephen......

GBJ · Club Coach

steven wrote:
So, it's Belgium v Great Britain, both unseeded, and the favourite to be the venue is Flanders Expo in Ghent, subject to confirmation by 28th September.

Gave that a quick google to see what to expect - "One of the most predominant event center in Flanders" - wow!

Anyone know what sort of crowd size we should expect.

It looks like where ever they choose it will only be a couple of hours drive or less from Calais.

On another note: I JUST LOVE THAT THERE IS A THREAD FOR THIS!!!!

BradMarx90 · County player

Perhaps prudent to make an (editable) post for those hoping to attend in Belgium and their plans for the weekend.

BradMarx90: Hoping to fly over from London to Brussels and stay with a friend, and then make the trip over for the first and/or second days of the competition. The three day ticket might just be a little out of my price range...

from the previous thread...

A1TennisAcademy:

Bob in Spain:

-- Edited by BradMarx90 on Monday 21st of September 2015 07:37:47 AM

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

People on twitter this morning are talking about Andy possibly opting out of the O2 finals to prepare for the DC final. Doesn't he have contractual obligations to play the O2 ?

paulisi · Tennis legend

I want to go, but I may have an issue getting out of the office. I may have to use my powers of persuasion.

Stadium has a capacity of 13000, so GB supporters should get min 10%. I'm not sure how easy it will be to get tickets.

Eurostar £100 return including transfer from Brussels to Ghent which is a 30 min train ride.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

This may upset a few people who have tickets for the O2 finals this year.

www.bbc.com/sport/0/tennis/34309163

nicofrance · Strong Club Player

Bob in Spain wrote:
This may upset a few people who have tickets for the O2 finals this year.

www.bbc.com/sport/0/tennis/34309163

I think most would be understanding given this might be GBs best chance for many years to win the Davis Cup. Its a difficult situation for Murray as I'm sure he would love to play both but its very hard if the final is on clay.

-- Edited by nicofrance on Monday 21st of September 2015 09:21:29 AM

Griff · Improver

What are the chances of getting tickets for this, I see the likely allocation is only going to be 1,300 for the brits ?

GBJ · Club Coach

That's pretty embarrassing for the tour to lose the only home singles player given Federer's withdrawal from the final last year too. I'd always hoped Murray would lift that title while it was still in London too :( They used to play it a week later didn't they? Was it the players who said they wanted the final to be a week earlier to give an extra week of off season?

GBJ · Club Coach

I wonder whether Jamie will still want to play in London. I imagine he will given the lack of back problems for him as far as I know. Are the recent back issues for Andy the thought to be the same ones that have hindered him so much on clay in the past but seemed to have cleared to help him do so well this year on clay?

nicofrance · Strong Club Player

I wonder whether Andy Murrays comments will effect Belgiums decision on which surface to play, surely it's better for them if AM plays the O2 and arrives tired for the final. Giving him two weeks to practice on clay seems a bit of an own goal. I could understand clay if AM had not done well on that but this has been his best ever clay court season with 2 titles.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

USA chose clay as the surface 'most likely to inconvenience Andy' and it was one of the worst captaincy decisions ever seen.

Belgium should chose the surface/arena that Goffin and Darcis want, for their own games.

Sim · County player

GBJ wrote:
I wonder whether Jamie will still want to play in London. I imagine he will given the lack of back problems for him as far as I know. Are the recent back issues for Andy the thought to be the same ones that have hindered him so much on clay in the past but seemed to have cleared to help him do so well this year on clay?

I would be very surprised if Jamie didn't play London, apart from anything else he will have one very upset John Peers to deal with!!

The O2 Finals is a much bigger deal for Jamie than for Andy, and the physical aspects of playing doubles are far less than for singles especially with the no advantage and MTB.

paulisi · Tennis legend

Interestingly I wonder if that interview from Andy was tactical in trying to get the ATP to put some pressure onto Belgium to play on hard courts.

Goffin has won two ATP tour events one on indoor hard, the other on clay. According to his Bio, his favourite surface is hard.

In reality, it will be 1-1 after the first day and it will come down to the reverse singles and doubles match. Does the surface matter for the doubles - probably not. Does the surface matter for the reverse singles? Not really for Murray v Goffin, so it will be more likely for Darcis v Edmund/Ward. If GB win the doubles it shouldn't matter.

Darcis beat James Ward in their only meeting on hard in a challenger
Kyle beat Darcis in their only meeting on hard in a challenger
(Both at Irving)

Lets not forget Kyle has a decent record on clay - qualified for French and won a round before getting injured this year and has gone deep in challengers on clay