This year 126 nations entered the competition, making it the world’s largest annual worldwide tennis competition in sport.
Advertisement
A third win of 2011 saw Great Britain promoted out of the Davis Cup’s “third division” – hardly a surprise for a team boasting a member of the world’s top five. It was a bit concerning a few days ago.
Take the quarter-finals against France after Wimbledon, which had Murray on his knees with exhaustion by its conclusion.
About 1,000 British fans are expected to travel to Belgium for the three-day event, with many thought to be staying in Brussels, about 30 miles from Ghent. Judy Murray, mother to Andy and his brother Jamie, with whom he will likely play a crucial doubles match on Saturday, alluded to the proximity of the location to Molenbeek.
May there be no terrorism and may all the players, fans, and people working at the venues be safe.
It’s competition rules really. Whoever plays is going to give their best.
As for Belgium, they were also the underdogs in every round this season. “For those travelling into Belgium for the tie we advise that you liaise directly with your flight or train operator for up to date information on any changes to departure times or protocols”.
The emphasis is very much on using fun to develop core skills, with everyone involved in everything from balloon-batting to racket spinning. Instead of flying to Brussels on Sunday, they chartered a private jet to Flanders Airport on Monday.
“The ITF [International Tennis Federation] and Royal Belgian Tennis Federation, in consultation with the relevant officials and our risk assessment and security advisers, are closely monitoring the situation in Belgium and specifically in Ghent”, the ITF said.
You can join Sue Barker and the gang for coverage on the BBC throughout the weekend.
The first two single rubbers will be shown live on BBC1 from 12.15pm-1pm and BBC2 from 1pm-6pm. At one point someone said, “When are you going to make a decision?’ and my point was, ‘We make a decision when it’s time to make a decision”. If you’d rather not watch it on BBC, then you can follow the action on Eurosport too. “We’ll all work together as a team and fight for the best result for all of us”.
Britain is playing in its first Davis Cup final in 37 years and is aiming to win its first title since 1936.
The operator officially announces its partnership agreement in time for the Davis Cup final between in Ghent between Belgium vs Great Britain (27-29 November).
They looked like explorers about to set off for an assault on Everest rather than tennis players about to play a Davis Cup final, but given the mountains that Britain’s team have climbed in the last five years perhaps that was appropriate.
Leon Smith, Britain’s captain, said he would choose between Kyle Edmund and James Ward for the second singles spot behind Andy Murray “in the next day or two”.
Jamie Murray, asked whether he had had any doubts about the trip, said he had always planned on coming. He is now the world No 16.
“I do think the court is good”, he told a news conference on Tuesday.
There is also the belief that protecting the Flanders Expo, a converted convention center, will be easier than, for example, an open-air soccer match.
Though it’s all about the team in this competition, both nations will be looking to their more experienced and illustrious names to help drive them to the title this weekend and inspire them to victory.
Team GB is contesting a 20th Davis Cup final and its first since 1978.
What are the latest odds? . Lleyton Hewitt was playing in his final Davis Cup and with Sam Groth threw everything they had at the Murray Brothers, but the Murrays came from behind to win 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-7(6) 6-4.
Advertisement
Well, it’s hard to miss really. The rest of the country, Ghent included, remained one level down.
