Murray to have say in next Davis Cup captain as Lloyd quits
John Lloyd resigns as Davis Cup captain with Andy Murray set to be consulted on eventual successor
Thursday, 18, Mar 2010 09:17
By Matthew Champion.
Andy Murray will be consulted before a replacement for John Lloyd is appointed after he resigned as captain of Britain's Davis Cup team last night, inthenews.co.uk understands.
British number one Murray, 22, skipped this month's humiliating Davis Cup defeat to Lithuania, which prompted a review of the team's performance and Lloyd's resignation.
The world number four said in the aftermath of the loss, the fifth straight defeat that Lloyd had presided over, that the players should be consulted on any eventual successor.
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) will agree to Murray's request in a bid to tempt him back to the Davis Cup team ahead of a playoff with Turkey to avoid relegation to the lowest group in the competition.
Tim Henman has already ruled himself out of taking on the role, while Greg Rusedski is now unlikely to be considered given Murray's intervention.
Lloyd had led Britain to wins in his first three ties as captain, against Croatia, Israel and the Netherlands, but the retirements of Henman and Rusedski destroyed the team's depth overnight.
"I am very proud of my time as Davis Cup captain, and grateful to all the players for their support," the 55-year-old said last night.
"Davis Cup captaincy is a tough job and I'm sure that the next captain will be as passionate as I was and have no doubt that the team is capable of defeating Turkey in July. I have been a Davis Cup player, captain and now it is time for me to become a fan."
Roger Draper, LTA chief executive, said: "I would like to thank John for all his efforts and in particular recognise his real achievement in guiding the team back into the World Group of the Davis Cup. He has always shown great passion and enthusiasm as captain."