While Australia have dropped their latest bad boy, Nick Kyrgios, and recalled the relatively old rascal, Bernard Tomic, the Davis Cup semi-final against Great Britain, which starts in Glasgow on Friday week, is still all about one player: Andy Murray.
If he can shrug off the physical and mental baggage from an assault on the US Open title that ended prematurely in the fourth round on Monday night – and his captain, Leon Smith, has no doubts he can – Great Britain are well placed to reach the final in November, against either Belgium or Argentina.
Glaswegians who will cram into the 8,000-seat Emirates Arena would have loved to have seen Kyrgios in action but their welcome for the Australians will still be loud and unequivocal. Smith said: “It’s a big call from them. He’s capable of playing some pretty unbelievable tennis. That said, where his headspace is at – we even saw a bit against Andy [in the first round here] that it’s not quite right. In Glasgow, the atmosphere that I’m pretty sure will be there could actually play havoc with him.”
The Australia captain, Wally Masur, explained on Tuesday why he has left out the game’s most mercurial talent, who grabs headlines for all the wrong reasons. “After some good, healthy discussion with Nick and his team we have agreed on a plan to help him develop all aspects of his game and ensure a long and successful future in the sport,” he said. “Next week’s tie has come a bit too soon for him and is not in that plan.”
As for Tomic, who travels with Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Groth and Thanasi Kokkinakis, Masur said the Queenslander’s recent outburst over funding and withdrawal from the previous squad has been resolved – for the time being.
“The focus has been on helping Bernie understand the consequences of his actions and then assessing how serious he is about committing to a consistent effort to improve his behaviour. So far he has demonstrated a will to change and backed that up with his actions. But it is a long road and he is now very acutely aware of the consequences of any future transgressions.”
Smith revealed in New York on the morning after Murray’s defeat to Kevin Anderson that he had settled on his selection before he had seen Masur’s picks, but he may yet tinker with the squad. He has kept faith with James Ward, who has had a poor run since Wimbledon, and the Londoner will vie with Kyle Edmund for the second singles spot.
Murray, as expected, will almost certainly play singles and doubles – with his brother Jamie – although Smith has been impressed by Dominic Inglot’s doubles form. “Going with five has bought me a bit more time,” he said. “James is playing a tournament this week. The run that he is on since Wimbledon, he needs to try to build some confidence.
“Kyle has had a really good year. A school of thought seems to be he is maybe too inexperienced for something like this. But you have to start somewhere. That’s why he is in the five and that’s why he is potentially going to get a run out.”
As for Murray, Smith, who has known him most of his life, said: “We are very lucky to have Andy playing the way he is and he’s going to be extremely difficult to beat.”
The Great Britain captain was not concerned with Murray missing the quarter-final of a grand slam event for the first time in 19 majors. “He came up against a player who played very well,” said Smith. “The guy played unbelievable tennis, didn’t miss a ball, served great, so it was a tough one. The way Andy’s schedule looks for the rest of the year he is putting Davis Cup high on the agenda. I think he’ll find a way to bring the necessary energy.”
