Andy Murray ready for Davis Cup return
Thursday 25 February 2016 13:43, UK
Andy Murray is motivated and ready to return to action ahead of next week's Davis Cup tie against Japan in Birmingham.
The world no 2 took a short break from tennis following the birth of his daughter on February 7, but returned to the training courts last week.
Murray's return will mark the beginning of Great Britain's title defence in Birmingham on March 4, and Davis Cup Captain Leon Smith said that he is in a brilliant frame of mind ahead of the tie.
"He's great. Very motivated, happy. He always said he was going to play this tie and he's ready for it", said Smith.
"We've been practising this week. He's been at Wimbledon every day. He was up in Scotland last week seeing family but also practising".
Last year's victory over Belgium ended Great Britain's 79-year wait to regain the Davis Cup, an enormous effort from the team and not least by the 28-year-old. He became the first player to win 11 live rubbers and was undefeated in their run, which included him personally securing eight singles match victories.
"Nobody can underestimate his commitment," Smith added. "Last year he was absolutely immense. He was an incredible role model of how to fight for every point for your country.
"The doubles matches he played as well, even when he was clearly fatigued or injured. It's just an incredible message to send out to everybody - this is how to be a British player. Everyone gets a lift from seeing him out there."
The test this year will be how he responds to playing after becoming a father, with many wondering if having a child will inspire the same form-finding ascendancy that Novak Djokovic seemed to assume after the birth of his son Stefan.
The Davis Cup tie will be Murray's first match after a fifth final defeat in the Australian Open, and while Smith admits no one knows if it will change his mentality, he did say he wouldn't be surprised.
"There are some things more important than tennis and family is that for him," said added.
"I don't know how it will affect him and neither does he but I just know he's happy and he's a brilliant family guy anyway so I can only see it being a positive."
