But he promised to travel to Serbia anyway and was as good as his word, heading straight to the Tasmajdan Stadium for the team’s afternoon practice session.
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The British No 5 was not originally in the team for the tie but replaced Dan Evans last week, with captain Leon Smith saying he was not in the right “head space” following a shoulder problem and personal issues.
“To get us off to a good start was great”, he said after a maiden Davis Cup triumph. “He’s got a good tennis mind”.
In the absence of Djokovic and Serb No. 2 Viktor Troicki, world No 81 Dusan Lajovic will lead 2010 champions Serbia.
Kyle Edmund will open for defending champion Britain against Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia in the Davis Cup quarterfinals.
Edmund, 21, was thrown into the deep end of the Davis Cup pool last winter in Belgium when he faced David Goffin in the first rubber of the 2015 Davis Cup final. ‘I played briefly for a couple of months but my knee was completely destroyed and unfortunately after four months of conservative treatment I had a third surgery.
‘It is new territory for him but he has had that big moment of playing in the Davis Cup final previous year, ‘ said Smith. I feel a lot of happiness being able to play all three days. But I was trying to be busy, by reading a lot of help-self books and going to the gym.
The tie was initially billed as a head-to-head between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, but the world’s top two players withdrew following their Wimbledon exploits. “It’s one of the heaviest clay courts I’ve ever played on, it doesn’t suit my game at all”. He’s definitely not your cliche British player that can only play on grass or hard courts.
The 32-year-old, once ranked as high as eighth in the world, has only won seven matches since 2013 and his shots lacked conviction.
“Andy loves Davis Cup and all his team-mates and support staff. All of us are really pumped he is here to support the team”.
Friday’s second scheduled singles rubber between Dusan Lajovic and James Ward was postponed due to the weather and will be played Saturday at noon, with the doubles rubber to start no earlier than 4 p.m. It is a 50-50 match, both have very similar rankings, both with not much Davis Cup experience and both like clay. It was a tough start but he didn’t do too much wrong throughout. I am ready to play [doubles]. “It’s generally brought the best out of me so, hopefully, it happens again this weekend”.
Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot held their nerve in the doubles, however, defeating Filip Krajinovic and Nenad Zimonjic 6-1 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 6-4 to restore Britain’s advantage ahead of the final day’s action.
Lajovic agreed about the condition of the clay court after heavy rains overnight.
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“It changes the nature of Wardy’s match, he can free himself up a little bit”, said Smith.
