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

theemptyvessel · Club Coach

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

wolf · Tennis legend

I don't think he can withdraw from one challenger and then play another in the same week.

Both James and Kyle are entered into Buenos Aires and Montevideo in weeks 45 and 46 respectively. The list for Montevideo came out today, so hopefully good sign as Kyle didn't withdraw in advance.

indiana · Tennis legend

Hope Kyle does at least get weeks 45 and 46 in and that there are no issues putting that in doubt. He very much needs matches and form.

Of course, he could be a good asset on clay and yes our number two on form at his best. But he has played just two matches since the US Open qualifying, nearly two months ago, challenger defeats to Brydan and Darian King and not looked good, for whatever reasons, particularly in the latter match. Prior to that he had the Davis Cup experience, where from reports it was not just his fall but form against Evo that was an issue and more recently sacked his coach.

So understandably, he is probably not in a great place. Now meeting up with Leon, playing on clay and having the Davis Cup focus will hopefully help get his form in a much better place and possibly his head too.

Be good if both James and Kyle can show form and give Leon positive food for thought.

-- Edited by indiana on Tuesday 27th of October 2015 09:57:32 PM

EddietheEagle · County player

Michael LLodra is apparently negotiating with the Belgium squad to assist them with their preparations.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

I still fear that there are fitness/health concerns for Kyle. Of course I may be wrong, but if it wasn't for DC, I think he would already have called an end to his season. I just get the feeling that he is still entered into the upcoming Challengers in the hope that he can get/be fit and it leaving the decision to the final moment.

In terms of DC preparation for both Kyle and Wardy, Buenos Aires makes sense, but I feel that Montevideo is too close to the DC date. Should one or other of them reach the final on the Sunday, that is going to mean a Monday flight back to Europe, with all the jet lag that such a flight entails. This would really eat into DC preparation time in Belgium. I understand the need for clay court practice, but for me, Ecuador/Colombia Week 44 and Buenos Aires Week 45 followed by a week's rest, just makes more sense. Kyle's absence in Week 44 just reinforces my fears as expressed above.

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, Bob, while putting above in frank context Kyle's two matches and two losses in two months, which is no sort of good place to be, I continue to wonder like you about underlying health / fitness issues that may well be a real contributory factor. The coach sacking came in as a bit of a curveball just when that was my big fear, particularly re his health given previous problems. It may all be a mixture of things.

It's as clear as mud for now, but maybe more will emerge in time.

Certainly I agree what you are saying re upcoming pre Davis Cup schedule, most particularly though here with regard to James. A full week in India, already will have at least three matches this week then fly to South America, then would be pretty mad surely to play the three weeks, 44 to 46, on top. I guess can see how it goes and then maybe pull out of week 46.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 28th of October 2015 01:56:06 PM

paulisi · Tennis legend

Anyone on here manage to get tickets? I'm guessing Philwrig will be there as he had already pre-booked accommodation before the tickets were out...

I couldn't re-arrange things and wasn't qualified for preference in the ballot, so i'll watch it on the box.

philwrig · Hall of fame

paulisi wrote:
Anyone on here manage to get tickets? I'm guessing Philwrig will be there as he had already pre-booked accommodation before the tickets were out...

I couldn't re-arrange things and wasn't qualified for preference in the ballot, so i'll watch it on the box.

No I didn't get tickets, but in the end not too gutted about it, had thought about just showing up for the practice and seeing if I could get a ticket at the last minute, but am probably just going to give it a miss. All the bookings were cancellable at no cost, so that looks like what I'll be doing.

goldfish · Futures qualifying

My husband and I have tickets for Friday only but category 3 amongst the Belgians. Very lucky to have been offered them by an English tennis-mad friend who lives in Belgium and who got them in the 2nd Belgian ballot. My husband, son and I all tried our luck in the general Belgian ticket sale, the LTA ballot and through a forum but got nowhere. Such a frustrating process. Looking forward to being there for a small part of the final though and will try to make our voices heard from a high up corner of the hall.

indiana · Tennis legend

When's Aljaz's appeal ? ( edit : just reading another tweet, apparently we should hear the result on November 17th )

He's been hitting with Andy and tweeted a picture of the two of them together :

"Great hitting with this legend @andy_murray today. Hopefully we are teammates soon, but until then good luck. #O2 ( union flag at end )

Reading between the lines ( often fun ) that has the sound of a man who obviously wants to win his appeal and represent GB in Davis Cup in the future, but is also rather thinking of maybe being involved as soon as Belgium.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 11th of November 2015 10:48:41 PM

philwrig · Hall of fame

According to the Daily Tel his chances of winning the appeal are slim, so we will see.

thejester · Satellite level

indiana wrote:
When's Aljaz's appeal ? ( edit : just reading another tweet, apparently we should hear the result on November 17th )

He's been hitting with Andy and tweeted a picture of the two of them together :

"Great hitting with this legend @andy_murray today. Hopefully we are teammates soon, but until then good luck at the #O2" ( union flag at end )

Reading between the lines ( often fun ) that has the sound of a man who obviously wants to win his appeal and represent GB in Davis Cup in the future, but is also rather thinking of maybe being involved as soon as Belgium.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 11th of November 2015 10:43:30 PM

I seem to remember reading that Aljaz had actually ruled himself out of the tie against Belgium, believing that the squad that got GB there should be the ones to play

I really hope he wins the appeal as we may well be in need of a new lead man if, as mooted on here, Andy takes a back seat next year in the competition. And also because he seems to really love GB, and be proud to be considered as British now, as well as coming across as a pretty lovely guy in general

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Here, here, one has to respect a man with such a passion for Welwyn Garden City, there can be no sterner test of Britishness.

thejester · Satellite level

Oakland2002 wrote:
Here, here, one has to respect a man with such a passion for Welwyn Garden City, there can be no sterner test of Britishness.

biggrin

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

An idea from left field:

Probably tens of thousands of people would travel to watch the DC final if tickets, money and time were not an issue. But the stadium is small, few tickets are available and it would be an expensive weekend. Why not take a leaf from the Rugby World Cup book and have a spectator zone at the NTC in Roehampton? They already have covered courts - the "dutch barn" roof over the clay courts is ideal! All they would have to do is get a big screen and sound system in and set up a (free?!) bar!