Davis Cup 2016 World Group Quarter Final - Serbia v GB - 15th to 17th July

thejester · Satellite level

RE: Davis Cup 2016 World Group Quarter Final - Serbia v GB - 15th to 17th July

indiana · Tennis legend

Andy was saying that he'll talk with Leon and his team and make a decision on Monday morning. I'd be surprised if he plays.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Me too, but he would get points for a DC win, and if Novak isn't playing it should be easy points.

Jiwan · Club Coach

I don't think points will be a factor for Andy playing or not. Agree though, even without Andy and Novak Brits are slight faves

indiana · Tennis legend

Helen40 wrote:
Me too, but he would get points for a DC win, and if Novak isn't playing it should be easy points.

As from the start of this year players are no longer awarded ranking points for Davis Cup wins.

They retain points from last year until the one year anniversary. Thus the Monday after the Serbia tie Andy will drop his 130 points from last year's QF vs France and they will not be replaced.

Spectator · All-time great

If it were not on clay, things might be different. But it is. And if I were Leon Smith, I'd tell him to skip it. They're in the WG. They've won it once. They might win the tie without him. And he needs a rest, not to switch to a different surface for a week.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

indiana wrote:
Helen40 wrote:
Me too, but he would get points for a DC win, and if Novak isn't playing it should be easy points.
As from the start of this year players are no longer awarded ranking points for Davis Cup wins.
They retain points from last year until the one year anniversary. Thus the Monday after the Serbia tie Andy will drop his 130 points from last year's QF vs France and they will not be replaced.

Wow, that's rough. What bright spark decided to do that? Even less incentive for top players, DC is fast becoming a farce.

I would definitely have it every four years two after an Olymoic year and make it worthwhile playing.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
Andy was saying that he'll talk with Leon and his team and make a decision on Monday morning. I'd be surprised if he plays.

The Beeb is inclined to agree with you, Indy! wink

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

More from the Beeb (posted on the rolling sports news page at 11.49):

Murray: "I feel a responsibility"

GB Davis Cup team selfie

Here's some more from that Andy Murray interview, who says it is "unlikely" he will play in Great Britain's Davis Cup quarter-final against Serbia in Belgrade this week.

"I chatted to Leon briefly last night and said that I probably wouldn't play, but I said I'd give him a buzz this afternoon and chat with him about it.

"I'm still going to head over to Serbia, even if I don't play. I feel a responsibility. My brother is part of the team and I've known Leon since I was a kid.

"Winning last year was one of the best moments of my career. The guys are all great. We are a team and whether I'm playing or not, I'll always try to support them.

RJA · Hall of fame

Spectator wrote:
If it were not on clay, things might be different. But it is. And if I were Leon Smith, I'd tell him to skip it. They're in the WG. They've won it once. They might win the tie without him. And he needs a rest, not to switch to a different surface for a week.

I agree with this. Andy has always struggled when it comes to changing surfaces and I think the idea of going from grass to clay to hard in the space of 2 weeks is certainly not one that he would relish. If the Olympics hadn't forced Toronto to be moved to just two weeks after Wimbledon it wouldn't have been so bad.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Hope he goes, this year he switched to clay and then grass pretty seamlessly.

Regardless what a great opportunity for the rest of the boys

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

I wonder if there is a scenario where he is selected with the idea of just playing doubles, and then, a deciding 5th rubber if necessary. If we have the match won beforehand, then he wouldn't need to play at all. This would mean leaving out Dom, playing Kyle and Wardy on Day 1, and Kyle playing the first of the reverse singles on the Sunday. If Kyle could win his singles, (not out of the question), we win the doubles with Andy/Jamie , (and who knows, Wardy has sprung bigger surprises in his DC career too) then he would not have to play singles at all. But if it came to the crunch, you put him in for the 5th rubber.

I am torn on this one. Looking at it purely from a "what is best for Andy" perspective, he doesn't play. But I do think the DC caught the countries imagination last year and it was a great opportunity to promote the sport in the UK outside of the usual grass court season.

Interesting that he is already saying "even if I don't play, I will be in Serbia with the team". I think he will find it tough emotionally to be there and just watching.

indiana · Tennis legend

Winning the Davis Cup was great although there is perhaps an argument as to just how much it truly caught the general nation's imagination. Though the LTA appear to have done well with such as Davis Cup tours.

Anyway however much it did so, winning it for a second time won't have anything like the effect of the first time. Perhaps Novak and Fed have previously revognised this and in Serbia at least it was a huge thing when they won.

I suspect temptation re a crucial fifth rubber will be out of Andy's hands, because I don't think he will be down for doubles, I don't think he will be in the four man team full stop. But I might be very wrong ...

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

If the tie was a relegation play-off then I have no doubt that he'd be down for Sat/Sun. Being a QF, I'd hope that Andy doesn't play. I have faith in Kyle and the double boys pulling through, but even if they didn't, it's not the end of the world. We've avoided the relegation risk, which is by far the most important thing.

thejester · Satellite level

BeefyDeedz wrote:
If the tie was a relegation play-off then I have no doubt that he'd be down for Sat/Sun. Being a QF, I'd hope that Andy doesn't play. I have faith in Kyle and the double boys pulling through, but even if they didn't, it's not the end of the world. We've avoided the relegation risk, which is by far the most important thing.

Even without Andy I make us at least evens to get the 3 points to seal the tie. Maybe my glass is too full but honestly, I can't see any point in Andy playing. He adjusts to changes in surface better than he used to but 3 surfaces in as many weeks just seems too much risk for the return. Kyle is a very capable clay courter, Jamie and Dom are a strong team (5 sets against the GOAT last year wasn't it?) and James, though a lesser force than he was, is still perfectly capable of pulling a performance out. And as noted, it would be nice to win it again but I'd rather see Andy in tip top shape to defend his medal and push on for a 2nd slam of the year