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

Oakland2002 · All-time great

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

Smidster · Challenger level

I am sure that the LTA is taking all the advice and believe that whatever decision is taken at the end is the right one.

If I had a ticket I would have no security concerns about attending - as you say it will be a fortress. What I would say though is some things are more important than tennis and if the police are required elsewhere then I hope fans are sympathetic.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Listening to Leon at the WTF I think it'll be Kyle - Leon was saying that he'd been around it all a few times now, so it wouldn't be so much pressure for him.
I personally still would like it to be Wardy as I think we wouldn't be there without him. Also, I know Kyle has had better recent form, but Wardy has proved that he's a big match player, especially for his country, so I think that he would raise his game for this one if needed.
However, I also respect Leon, and non of us know what's really going on - as ever I will go with what he says, but my fingers are tightly crossed for Wardy.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

I follow your reasoning. On clay I think it's a no brainer and Leon will make the right choice without sentiment. It would have been a much more difficult decision had the game been on hard courts.

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Monday 23rd of November 2015 04:53:34 AM

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Monday 23rd of November 2015 04:54:10 AM

bigboyjumbo · Lower Club Player

Helen40 wrote:
Listening to Leon at the WTF I think it'll be Kyle - Leon was saying that he'd been around it all a few times now, so it wouldn't be so much pressure for him.
I personally still would like it to be Wardy as I think we wouldn't be there without him. Also, I know Kyle has had better recent form, but Wardy has proved that he's a big match player, especially for his country, so I think that he would raise his game for this one if needed.
However, I also respect Leon, and non of us know what's really going on - as ever I will go with what he says, but my fingers are tightly crossed for Wardy.

I personally dont think you can pick somebody because 'we wouldn't have got there without him' as you dont know how the other players would have faired in the same situation. You have to pick players on current form. Once in a lifetime opportunity he will pick the strongest team at this present time. Which is definately not Ward

EddietheEagle · County player

Can't disagree with that. I think the decision's been taken for him.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Looks like its going ahead anyway, but with unprecedented levels of security, so thus likely to be the safest place on the planet for these 3 days. Hopefully the lads will be able to focus 100% on the preparation this week and not be deflected by the ongoing terrorist threat.

bigboyjumbo · Lower Club Player

anybody seen the picture on twitter of the team all together? I like the fact that Ward Evo Kyle will all be there regardless of who plays, as much as i dont think ward should play, he should still feel part of the winning squad due to his inform efforts earlier in the competetion

Spectator · All-time great

Yes, Steven tweeted it. Also lovely to see the elder Mr Skupski there with them.

EddietheEagle · County player

I wonder whether the LTA blazers can resist a group photograph. They'd need one of those old style school photo cameras that pan from left to right.

Jan · Hall of fame

bigboyjumbo wrote:
anybody seen the picture on twitter of the team all together? I like the fact that Ward Evo Kyle will all be there regardless of who plays, as much as i dont think ward should play, he should still feel part of the winning squad due to his inform efforts earlier in the competetion

Definitely good to see them all there and inlcuded in what's going on - they've all played their part at some stage.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Some interesting comments by Leon on his dilemma in this morning's Times:

Smith expects to be in a position to inform his players on Wednesday: "It will be the hardest conversation of my life because I really care about the players. I spend an awful lot of time with the guys and it is not as though you can stay aloof. It's the same for anybody who is in a leadership position; you have to take a deep breath and make the call. You have to park any emotional attachment you might have."

[...]

If Edmund is picked, Smith is convinced that the team spirit he has fostered in his five-year reign will remain strong. However, he said: "It [team spirit] will certainly be tested when the stakes get higher. Whoever doesn't play will be extremely disappointed and it will take a lot of tender loving care to pick them up.

I hope there's been enough goodwill and time invested in those relationships that we can stand the test of that selection. It really is about the team and making sure that the decision isn't based on anything other than on what I think's best to win the tie."

Doesn't sound as though he underestimates the size of the task/extent of the responsibility facing/weighing on him. Just do the right thing for the team, Leon.

indiana · Tennis legend

I don't think Leon need worry about anyone taking his final selection personally ( although it will be hard to tell someone who will no doubt be very disappointed ), because to me that final phrase has permeated all his final team selections and that I would be hopeful earns respect and bonds folk, indeed creates the "goodwill" that he talks about.

"It really is about the team and making sure that the decision isn't based on anything other than what I thinks best to win the tie".

I have huge confidence that these are not mere words, it is how the man operates. The call may be the same kind as "for anyone who is in a leadership position", but I would certainly not always have that amount of confidence in these principles being followed.

-- Edited by indiana on Monday 23rd of November 2015 11:53:08 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Seemingly Mika Llodra is in Ghent at the moment coaching the Belgium doubles teams.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

www.daviscup.com/en/news/219727.aspx

I'm not sure it quite works (Leon definitely looks like he thinks he could be using his time better) but it's a fun enough little quiz for our lads