Andy Murray will lead Great Britain next week in his first outing since becoming a father, as the team begin their Davis Cup defence with a match against Japan.
Murray has not played since he lost the Australian Open final against Novak Djokovic at the end of January, in order to spend time with his daughter Sophia Olivia, who was born on 7 February, and his wife, Kim.
The Scot, though, has been named in an initial five-strong group for the first‑round match which begins on 4 March at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena, formerly the National Indoor Arena.
“Andy Murray has once again demonstrated his commitment to the team and his country in making himself available to play, especially so soon after becoming a father,” said Leon Smith, the Great Britain captain, who led the team to a first Davis Cup in 79 years last November. “His outstanding performance at the Australian Open is further evidence that he is one of the world’s best players.”
Smith has also named Murray’s brother Jamie, Kyle Edmund, Dan Evans and the doubles specialist Dom Inglot, but will have to trim his selection to four for the tie. “Japan have a very strong team, progressed well in recent years and with Kei Nishikori have an established top-10 player,” the captain said. “It will be a test for us but I’m confident in our team and I’m sure when the guys pull on their GB shirt they will give their all. We are lucky to have another home tie and it’s exciting to be returning to Birmingham. Our fans give us incredible support and we look forward to more of the same.
“Kyle Edmund has made good progress on the tour, has had a confident start to the year and gained vital Davis Cup experience playing in last year’s final. Dan Evans has a wealth of Davis Cup experience and has made great strides in the last six months. And Jamie Murray is arguably the most in‑form doubles player in world tennis, currently at a career-high ranking of No2, and continues to show signs of improvement. He made vital contributions to our 2015 Davis Cup campaign and is playing the best tennis of his life right now.
“Further bolstering our doubles options will be Dom Inglot, who showed us what he can do in taking the best doubles team of all time [the Bryan brothers of the US] to the wire last year in Glasgow. He is an established world-class doubles player who continues to play an important part of our team.”
