Andy Murray: Give players a choice on Davis Cup captaincy

Andy Murray: Give players a choice on Davis Cup captaincy

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Friday, 12, Mar 2010 10:24

By Lewis Bazley.

British number one Andy Murray has stressed the importance of giving the UK's tennis players a voice if a new Davis Cup captain is sought.

Current captain John Lloyd is thought to be on the verge of dismissal after Great Britain's recent loss to Lithuania, which put the team perilously close to dropping into the Davis Cup's bottom tier.

And though he did not play in the defeat to Lithuania, Murray believes the squad should be consulted should Lloyd be removed from his post.

"I would like to think the players... should have a strong say on who they think should come in," said the Scottish player.

"It's very important the players are comfortable with who the captain is."

Though the 3-2 away defeat to Lithuania was Great Britain's fifth consecutive Davis Cup loss, Murray said criticism of British tennis would not yield results.

"Everyone involved is obviously disappointed," added the world number four.

"It wasn't one of British tennis' best days but I think the most important thing now is that we're obviously at a pretty low point and I'm fed up reading just negative stuff all the time, the constant bashing.

"There needs to be some more constructive things said, people actually coming forward with ideas of what you can do to improve, how we can get better as a nation."

But according to top tennis coach Nick Bollettieri, who has trained ten world number ones, it could be argued the UK is "not a tennis nation".

"British tennis has shortcomings with deep cultural and historical roots," he wrote in his column on www.sportingintelligence.com.

"Sure, you stage the most prestigious event in the world - Wimbledon. But your national sports are soccer and cricket, and your Olympic resources go to cycling, rowing, sailing, swimming, all sports at which you excel at or are improving in.

"Tennis is part of a social scene."