The Murrays arrived in Belgium on Monday with the rest of the team – this amid high security concerns after the Paris attacks.
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“Obviously it’s a different situation in Brussels than it is here”, he said.
‘Here in Ghent, everything seems fine, ‘ said the 28-year-old Scot, wrapped up like an arctic explorer amid the cold caused by the hall’s doors being open for deliveries.
“I think it was evident in his performance at the O2 that he was a bit distracted, and that s perfectly acceptable when you ve got a Davis Cup final around the corner”. I hope as many fans can travel over as possible to give us the best support.
Meanwhile, Kyle Edmund and James Ward, who are competing for the second singles spot, travelled to South America to play tournaments on outdoor clay.
The British team were well wrapped up when they faced the media on Tuesday, with the temperature in the venue around 3C as both teams practised. “A lot of people are travelling through there”. For Belgium, it is their first final since 1904 and if they win, it will be their first Davis Cup title. You’ve got quite a lot of practice sessions in a week, especially if you get together on a Saturday and you don’t have to start the tie until the Friday.
The doubles specialist had not played for Britain for nearly four years when he was selected for March’s first-round match against the USA.
“We may not get the outcome that we want, but it won’t be through lack of trying or lack of care from anyone in the team”. “Things have happened that made it more concerning but we’re here, we’re training”. It’s a bit like background music: you know it’s there but you’re not really listening.
He said: “We wanted to get here and actually get a feel for the venue, feel for the courts”.
“In situations like this it’s great that we have such capable people that are able to give us the best advice and everyone, I think, is very comfortable in the team”, he said.
Johan Van Herck’s team have opted to try and maximise their home advantage by playing on clay in Ghent, and the captain is well aware of the final’s importance to his nation’s people.
He has travelled with two second-string singles players and, as yet, has not decided who to play. “The government is due to let us know of its recommendations in the next few days”, he added. I feel like he’s the kind of guy that can handle pressure. I think that is a mark of a great captain and I put Leon Smith in one of those sort of categories.
Now as we leave David Lloyd’s comments behind we can, hopefully, look forward to a Davis Cup tie that epitomises the difference between Murray and all the British number ones that have preceded him since the Fred Perry era.
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There was a 5-0 hammering by Slovakia in the third tier in 1995 and a 4-1 loss to Zimbabwe in London two years later after 1996 wins over Slovenia, Ghana and Egypt.
