Mark Petchey analyses five Davis Cup talking points
Monday 19 September 2016 17:19, UK
Great Britain's Davis Cup defence ended at the semi-final stage after defeat to Argentina but Mark Petchey believes there's reason to stay optimistic...
How would you sum up Great Britain's Davis Cup defence?
It's incredibly difficult to defend anything. It was a terrific effort to get to the semis, and to be one match from the final. There's not a lot to be disappointed about. There's a lot to celebrate about the effort that everyone put it.
How crucial was the first rubber between Andy Murray and Juan Martin Del Potro?
The most important rubber is the one that wins it for you! It's not the first or the last. Obviously Murray-Del Potro was hugely significant.
You felt the outcome would be crucial. [Murray's wins] have taken huge amounts of pressure off the second player, and that shouldn't be underestimated. Tennis players work in an environment where they start at 0-0 - Davis Cup is the one situation where that doesn't happen. You know, as the second singles player, that the weekend hinges on you. That's what makes the Davis Cup so riveting.
Will Andy Murray eventually lessen his Davis Cup participation?
It's about what motivates Andy, and what he deems as his priority. People might say the majors are his priority but Andy might decide that the Davis Cup motivates him the most.
He decided to play an individual sport so ultimately he will decide what he wants to do. People will have their opinions about that. Looking ahead to 2017 he will decide what makes him happiest on a tennis court - it could be that being part of the Davis Cup team is still hugely important to him.
Was it the right decision to pick Kyle Edmund over Dan Evans?
I think they made the right call. It was a difficult choice for Leon Smith but he's made great calls over the years, and his judgement shouldn't be called into question. He's been right so many times.
The choice is a great sign for the future. That's something that is a huge positive. The Davis Cup over the past two years has massively helped Dan in terms of his wins on tour - it's been a huge part of his motivation.
We've got a core couple of very good players who are strong enough to give us a chance of going deep in the competition.
Do Great Britain have strength in depth beyond Andy Murray?
If most countries come out with a full-strength team and Andy doesn't play, we probably won't win the Davis Cup without him.
But are we good enough to stay in the World Group without him? Given how Kyle and Dan have played, and obviously Jamie in doubles with various partners, there's a very good chance. But it's a stretch to believe that, without Andy, we could win the Davis Cup.
