| 22 July 2011
The Great Britain Davis Cup Team beat Luxembourg 4-1 a fortnight ago, thanks almost entirely to Andy Murray’s efforts. The world number four only conceded eight games to his opponents in the two singles matches he played, and he and his brother Jamie were also able to win their doubles match comfortably.
The headlines all revolved around Andy’s tears after beating Giles Muller in straight sets and putting the tie out of reach. But more significant is the reliance the British team has on Murray’s desire to play in the Davis Cup.
Great Britain and Luxembourg have the same number of players in the top 150: one (Muller is ranked 82). This is not only worrying, but worryingly predictable. The UK plays host to the most revered tennis tournament in the world: Wimbledon.
The UK is about to stage the biggest sporting event in the world: the Olympics. Why then, has the country failed to produce any sort of stable of up and coming tennis players to challenge the world’s best? Even Henman had Rusedski as a hitting partner.
Murray has his brother and a couple of players who have shone briefly at events (James Ward, Alex Bogdanovic) but no one of any real substance.
By beating Luxembourg, Great Britain now faces Hungary in a bid for promotion to the Europe/Africa Group I division. Can you name Hungary’s danger men? No, me neither. Their highest ranked player is Attila Balazs, ranked 223. Let’s just hope Andy’s free that weekend.
Otherwise we might as well be playing Online Fruit Machines for the weeked!
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