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

steven · Tennis legend

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

steven · Tennis legend

The Leon years ... (some of you will already have seen this on Twitter - I've left them as Twitter names because I'm feeling lazy!):

Since Leon Smith took over for a Europe-Africa Zone Group II relegation tie in 2010, GB have:

- won 46 rubbers to 21
- won 12 ties to 2 and, of course, the Cup!

GB live (+dead) rubber Davis Cup singles wins under Leon:

16+1 @andy_murray
7+2 @JamesWardtennis
3+1 @Evo151216
1+2 @jamiebaker86

GB Davis Cup doubles winners under Leon:

8 @colin_fleming
6 @andy_murray
5 @jamie_murray
3 @RoscoHutchins
1 @k_skupski, @jonnymarray

Also played Davis Cup under Leon, softening up opponents for Sunday, giving extra options, etc (*)

@joshuagoodall
@dominglot
@kyle8edmund

(*) i.e. they haven't won a rubber under Leon but were good enough to get into the final four and play on court.

I've probably missed someone (or got a number wrong somewhere, though the singles wins + half the doubles wins do at least add up to 46!) but I don't think anyone who has been picked by Leon has failed to play a rubber in at least one tie, even if they haven't played a rubber in every tie they were picked for.

I like the fact that everyone who has played this year got a winner's medal and their moment on the podium today

Focussing on this year though, it's easy to forget the contribution of someone like Colin, who won so many doubles rubbers with various partners on the way up ... and to forget that until Wardy beat Grigelis at the start of the Lithuania tie (I think that was the first one?), no Brit who hadn't been in the ATP top 100 had won a live singles rubber at ANY level in Davis Cup in the 21st century, yet under Leon, they started to do it on a regular basis.

Vandenburg · Futures level

steven wrote:
The Leon years ... (some of you will already have seen this on Twitter - I've left them as Twitter names because I'm feeling lazy!):

Since Leon Smith took over for a Europe-Africa Zone Group II relegation tie in 2010, GB have:

- won 46 rubbers to 21
- won 12 ties to 2 and, of course, the Cup!

GB live (+dead) rubber Davis Cup singles wins under Leon:
16+1 @andy_murray
7+2 @JamesWardtennis
3+1 @Evo151216
1+2 @jamiebaker86

GB Davis Cup doubles winners under Leon:
8 @colin_fleming
6 @andy_murray
5 @jamie_murray
3 @RoscoHutchins
1 @k_skupski, @jonnymarray
Also played Davis Cup under Leon, softening up opponents for Sunday, giving extra options, etc (*)
@joshuagoodall
@dominglot
@kyle8edmund

(*) i.e. they haven't won a rubber under Leon but were good enough to get into the final four and play on court.
I've probably missed someone (or got a number wrong somewhere, though the singles wins + half the doubles wins do at least add up to 46!) but I don't think anyone who has been picked by Leon has failed to play a rubber in at least one tie, even if they haven't played a rubber in every tie they were picked for.
I like the fact that everyone who has played this year got a winner's medal and their moment on the podium today
Focussing on this year though, it's easy to forget the contribution of someone like Colin, who won so many doubles rubbers with various partners on the way up ... and to forget that until Wardy beat Grigelis at the start of the Lithuania tie (I think that was the first one?), no Brit who hadn't been in the ATP top 100 had won a live singles rubber at ANY level in Davis Cup in the 21st century, yet under Leon, they started to do it on a regular basis.

Sorry did I heard you correct, I think I did. Did you just say the words Josh Goodall........

Jan · Hall of fame

Thanks for all that info Steven.
Leon has doen a near-impossible job and earned respect from so many.
And I was also so pleased that Dom and Dan were included with medals and trophies.

Miriambee · Futures level

brilliant result!!! well done Andy, Leon and all the team!!!

Priesty · Challenger level

What can I say - just fantastic! The stuff of dreams. Would have been unthinkable not long ago
Well done Leon and the team!

Nice to see the smile back on Kyle's face too, it was sad to see him looking so upset after the Goffin match.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Andy, Leon and the rest of the team have made so many people very happy today. Most notably,

Bob in Spain
Bob in Croatia
Bob in Britain
Bob in Brazil
Bob in France
Bob in Italy
Bob in Portugal

and last but not least

Bob in Belgium

We have having quite a party here at the moment biggrin

Seriously though, Andy served his socks off at just the right moments today. He was, as he has been so many times before, quite simply outstanding.

Note to David Lloyd. An hour after all the other players and coaches had gone, Andy was still out there courtside, signing autographs and having his picture taken with every fan that wanted it. He has done more today on behalf of British Tennis than you have done in a lifetime, Mr Lloyd.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Couldn't agree more! So ner-ner-nernerner to you, David Lloyd!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

And doing it for free, Bob.

Unlike all David Lloyd's 'contributions' which seem to involve people paying good money to his bottom line

Oakland2002 · All-time great

I think Kyle was quite tough on himself after Friday's loss but a promising sign as to his level of expectation. It is the pinnacle of the careers of all the players apart from Andy (although he appears to have enjoyed every minute) and I hope they enjoy the next couple of days before using it to kick on as individuals in 2016.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

So proud of Andy for the guy that he is, as well as the complete tennis star. Funny how that childhood experience of missing out on an autograph has helped him become such a superstar.

indiana · Tennis legend

Just heard on the radio ( TalkSport, yes, but from a guy who who did seem to know what he was talking about ) that James would have played any 5th match.

Apparently he was away preparing through Andy's match and didn't come back until the last few points, partly he's said because Andy would have looked at him - '"so you're taking it that I've won, well I haven't".

steven · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
Just heard on the radio ( TalkSport, yes, but from a guy who who did seem to know what he was talking about ) that James would have played any 5th match.

Apparently he was away preparing through Andy's match and didn't come back until the last few points, partly he's said because Andy would have looked at him - '"so you're taking it that I've won, well I haven't".

That all sounds more than plausible!

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Correct re James. Beechy was out with him all the time and I think Evo went out for a bit too. I presumed that was to hit with him.

-- Edited by Bob in Spain on Monday 30th of November 2015 03:24:40 AM

Spectator · All-time great

Late to the party (speaking of parties, given the time at which BiS/BiB is posting, that must have been quite a party indeed!) but what an amazing, wonderful achievement. I've just loved going onto Twitter and seeing the tributes to Mr Murray in particular rolling in from players around the world, including a number of members of vanquished teams - this from people who know best just how hard it would be to do what he has done. Also the huge amount of recognition for the quite amazing Leon Smith, the elder Mr Murray and James Ward and the team as a whole. So delighted for Mr Ward - he's the one non-Murray with a key point, and to see the closeness with Andy Murray and the joy on his face was worth quite a bit. And it must have meant a lot to know that Mr Smith had the confidence in him to make him the key person if it went to a 5th rubber. If I am not mistaken, he, Mr Edmund and Mr Evans, as well as the younger Mr Murray, could now theoretically spend their lifetimes eating rubber chicken on the Champions League circuit after they retire, if they so wished. Great to see Mr (K) Skupski in the photos, too, as he was part of the journey.

The only "ands" that I'd like to add are three: one that I do wish something could be done for Colin Fleming. He was such a massive part of rebuilding the team ... a top doubles player when they were fewer on the ground and so important in the stages before this year. Mr Fleming, we salute you! And I hope you get a mini-cup (or an MBE?) of your own. (Wouldn't mind seeing something going to all of Steven's list!)

Two, thank you, Judy Murray.

And the third is to M. Goffin. In a sense he was all year to the Belgian team what Andy Murray was to the GB team. And in this tie he was amazing. A great player - and a heroic tie. I'm glad he didn't manage to win it ... but he certainly gave it a superb effort.

-- Edited by Spectator on Monday 30th of November 2015 05:56:04 AM