Team ethic can take us even further in Davis Cup - Murray

ANDY MURRAY insisted Great Britain’s Davis Cup squad was not a one-man team as he prepared to lead his side into a rare semi-final in the competition.
Great Britain coach Leon Smith speaks with Andy Murray during a practice session at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA.Great Britain coach Leon Smith speaks with Andy Murray during a practice session at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA.
Great Britain coach Leon Smith speaks with Andy Murray during a practice session at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA.

Murray took five days off after his fourth-round exit at the US Open to Kevin Anderson, and arrived in Glasgow last Saturday ahead of this weekend’s tie against Australia.

Having played three matches in three days in GB’s win over France in July, Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt said the pressure was on two-time major winner Murray.

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But the world No 3 responded: “I wouldn’t say it’s all on me. We got into this position by everyone in the team playing their part.

“I think there’s pressure on everybody. It’s Lleyton’s last chance to win the Davis Cup and he’ll be feeling pressure as well and all the players in their team will be feeling the same way. They have some young players that won’t have played in an atmosphere like this before either.

“The pressure is on us as well because everyone views this as a good opportunity, so we can point fingers at one another and say there is pressure for certain individuals and none on the others but they’ll be feeling the pressure as well and we’ll see who handles it better over the weekend.”

He added: “It’s not about one individual. There’s nine or 10 players here who all have their part to play and everyone, I’m expecting, is going to perform well.

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“It’s hard not to when you play in an atmosphere like we will be playing in in a couple of days.”

The 2013 Wimbledon champion drove to Glasgow at the weekend in order to visit family ahead of the three-day competition.

“I took five full days off then came here on Saturday and started practising on Sunday,” the 28-year-old Scot said.

“I wanted to spend some time with my family while I was here and that gave me the chance to drive up and see them (on Tuesday), which was nice.”

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It is Britain’s first semi-final for 34 years, and captain Leon Smith is still to decide on his second singles player with James Ward, Kyle Edmund and late call up Dan Evans in contention.

Smith said Edmund has recovered from an ankle injury, but did not reveal who will play the second singles tie.

“All will be revealed (on Thursday),” he said.

“There’s some things in my own head to figure out and I’ll talk to the guys. We’re very open here.”