Davis Cup Betting / Simon Mundie / 12 March 2009 / Leave a comment

As Great Britain were being humiliated at the hands of the Ukriane, Andy Murray had his feet up after complaining of a virus. Simon Mundie wonders how often we'll see Murray representing GB in future Davis Cup ties and whether you can blame him.

All in all, last weekend was a sorry one for British tennis. An uninspiring Ukraine side ruthlessly exposed the lack of strength in depth on the men's side in a dour Davis Cup encounter. The visitors' top two singles players were both ranked outside the top 200 in the world, and Josh Goodall, our highest ranked player after Andy Murray, was unable to take a set from either. Of course, the outcome could certainly have been different had Andy Murray been playing.

The Scot would certainly have won both his singles rubbers, and in likelihood proved the difference in the doubles too. However, Murray didn't play, citing illness, and that made a huge difference to the British chance of victory. Worryingly for our future Davis Cup prospects and the reputation of the LTA, there must be a serious question mark over Murray's future participation. After all, what exactly is in it for him?

The reason for Murray's Davis Cup absence was the virus that also forced his withdrawal from the Dubai Open quarterfinals. There have been rumours in certain quarters that Murray could have played in the tie had it been really important to him, but it does seem that it's not exactly top of his list of priorities. And to be honest, who can blame him? The current world number 4 has a genuine chance to challenge for the world number one slot in the future, and all his energies are focussed on that lofty goal. Indeed, becoming world number one or a Grand Slam Champion requires exactly that type of single-minded focus, even if it comes at the expense of our national team. So why would he play Davis Cup, when it could hamper his ability to sustain a genuine challenge for the top spot?

Murray's commitment to the Davis Cup cause may be somewhat circumspect, unlike his predecessor as British number one, Tim Henman. The four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist was always willing to put his body on the line for his country, but then Henman is a very different animal to Murray. While Tiger Tim was world class, he was never a genuine contender for the top spot in the world.

Alongside his yearly Wimbledon exploits, his best chance to truly write himself into the pantheon of British greats was alongside Greg Rusedski in Davis Cup competition. When the pair of them played under the leadership of the current captain's (John Lloyd) elder brother David Lloyd, there was genuine belief that between the two of them the Davis Cup trophy was achievable. They were both in, or around, the top ten for much of their careers, and combined to make a formidable doubles partnership. As it turned out, they never actually fulfilled their promise in the competition, partly because of injuries to either Henman or Rusedski at key moments, and partly because having to play three five-set matches in three days meant they ran out of steam at crucial moments.

Murray, on the other hand, knows he will never win the Davis Cup. It is simply impossible for him to single-handedly carry the team all the way through the World Group, particularly against sides who have the luxury of picking several world-class players. Murray is a lone fighter, miles ahead of anyone else Britain has got to offer, and he has vented his frustration at the lack of quality alongside him in the past.

He has also been critical of the LTA, claiming it was the fault of the governing body that his brother Jamie's early promise was squandered by poor coaching and guidance during his crucial teen years. Andy showed incredible self-belief and awareness at an early age in pleading with his mother Judy to let him move to Spain to learn his craft away from the mediocre leadership afforded by the LTA. It proved to be a wise decision, and it's not really a surprise therefore that he feels no huge obligation to the LTA when it comes to making tough choices that are best for his career.

Murray knows that he is one of Britain's best young sportsmen, with a chance to be the very best. Outside of genuine tennis fans in the UK, winning a few rounds in Davis Cup competition will not really improve his standing, nor will it bolster his reputation, except perhaps amongst that small band of people who still harp on about his tongue-in-cheek comment about supporting anyone but England in major football competitions.

On the other hand, a win at one of the Grand Slams, something most tennis experts feel is a question of when not if, would instantly secure his status as a great British sportsman. Furthermore, if Murray does give the competition short thrift over the coming months and years, it will expose the LTA for the underachieving organisation that it is, and that could appeal to him, even if only at a subconscious level. Why should his personal success, achieved without the help of the LTA, paper over the deep rooted cracks and make everything seem rosy when in reality it is anything but?

Looked at from that point of view, you could forgive Murray being non-committal about future Davis Cup ties, even when he isn't lumbered with a virus. The next tie is against Poland in September at home, one Britain should certainly win if Murray decides to play. That he will play, isn't a given.