Murray defends skipping Cup tie

Scotsman focusing on Grand Slams this year and not national obligations

PERTH, Australia: World No 4 Andy Murray believes his decision to miss Britain's Davis Cup tie against Lithuania in March will give the country's young players invaluable experience.

Last year, Britain were relegated to Europe/Africa Zone, Group Two, the third tier of the Davis Cup, after which Murray said he would consider his options for 2010.

Addressing the media at the Hopman Cup yesterday, Murray said he had made the decision in order to enhance his chances of performing well at the biggest tournaments this year.

"You've got to do what is right for your tennis," he said.

"That period of the year, just before Indian Wells and Miami, is very important for me. I have a lot of ranking points to defend.

"I've obviously done very well there in the past couple of years so playing on clay away in Lithuania before travelling over to California is not the best preparation for that. I think it's the right decision.

"My focus in 2010 is on performing well in the Masters events and improving my record in the Grand Slams. I'm always available for my country and am happy to help whenever needed."

Murray will consult with the Lawn Tennis Association before each match in the future but with the next tie, win or lose in Lithuania, straight after Wimbledon, the 22-year-old could well sit out the competition for the entire year.

The Scot, who opens his season in the mixed team event today, denied he was abandoning his country at a time when it needed him most.

Low group

"It would be a bit unfair to single me out," he said.

"(Roger) Federer has missed Davis Cup matches, Rafa (Nadal) has missed Davis Cup matches, as has (Novak) Djokovic, (Pete) Sampras and (Andre) Agassi. A lot better players than me have missed Davis Cup matches.

"It's just because the team has struggled in the past few years that if I didn't play then there was a good chance that we were going to lose, whereas now we can still win.

"I don't think it's a case of me abandoning Great Britain. I've played a lot of matches for them and I'm here representing them as well."

In Murray's absence, the likes of Dan Evans, James Ward and Jamie Baker are likely to compete for the singles berths.

"We are down in quite a low group now," Murray said. "When I do play and we lose, I don't feel like it really benefits the other players.

"I think it's been 10 years since a British player outside myself, Tim (Henman) and Greg (Rusedski) won a live Davis Cup rubber.

"It's time for the guys to get used to winning in the Davis Cup rather than having so much pressure on them every time they play.

"Hopefully, this will give them a good opportunity. Even without me I think they have a good chance of winning in Lithuania."

Reuters

(China Daily 01/04/2010 page23)