We are heading back to Glasgow! The Aegon GB Davis Cup Team will tussle with Australia at the Emirates Arena between 18-20 September in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semi-final.
Playing in their first last four clash since 1981 and looking to reach the final of the competition for the first time since 1978, Leon Smith’s men will return to the venue which raised the roof in their memorable 3-2 win over USA in March.
The team that played on that occasion, Andy Murray, James Ward, Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot all said afterwards it was one of the best atmospheres they had ever played in.
Roaring singing voices will be required once again as we help the team, who knocked out France last month, try and beat a confident Australia who overcame Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals having trailed 2-0.
Davis Cup at Emirates Arena
- Where? Glasgow
- Capacity? 8,200
- Built? 2012
- Surface? Hard Court
Leon Smith, captain of the Aegon GB Davis Cup Team, said: “We have had incredible support any time we played at home, none more so than when we played in Glasgow. Playing indoors allows the noise level to go through the roof and will give our team the ideal platform they need to get inspired.
"This will be important against a nation with the Davis Cup pedigree of Australia as we try to reach the final of competition for the first time in nearly 40 years. To bring all our fans together, I would like to ask anyone supporting us to wear Blue or Navy over the course of the weekend and make as much noise as possible.”
World No.3, Andy Murray, added: “It’s exciting for the team to be going back to Glasgow. It’s always special to play in front of a home crowd and we are fortunate to have played our last three ties at home. We had a unique atmosphere in Glasgow, the crowd was unbelievable. It’s going to be a huge week for our team and we’ll be doing everything we can to get GB through to the final.”
What did the fans say about Glasgow in March?
Sonny Bhandari:
“It is one of the best atmospheres I have ever heard and I have been to a lot of tennis events. The roar of noise when the guys came on was just fantastic.”
Aisling Rollason:
“The atmosphere was incredible.”
Iona McKenzie:
“It was absolutely amazing support for the team through thick and thin, whether winning or losing.”
Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “We are thrilled Glasgow's Emirates Arena has been chosen to host the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semi-final, adding to what has been an incredible year of sport in our great city.
"The now famous Emirates Roar played such an important part in Britain's earlier victory over the USA and that support will be crucial as we take on Australia. The players really responded to their backing and I'm sure it will be the same again next month.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, added: “We are delighted that Glasgow has been selected to host the Aegon GB Davis Cup Team once again for the semi-final against Australia in September. Scotland is the perfect stage for events and we are certain that fans from all across the country will turn out in force to show their support at the Emirates Arena.”
Richard Newman, Head of Brand and Communications at BNP Paribas UK, said: “The Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is the event in the tennis calendar where the crowd plays a major role – in many ways supporters become the sixth member of the team.
"At the quarter-finals at Queen’s, we launched the BNP Paribas Fan Academy to help support tennis like never before. It was a huge success, and the Fan Academy will be on hand again in Glasgow to generate another electric atmosphere.”
Tara McGregor-Woodhams, Head of Brand, Sponsorship and Digital Marketing at Aegon UK, added: “The Aegon GB Davis Cup Team is on a roll and we know the crowd has played a huge part in their recent ties. Returning to Glasgow, where memories of victory and a fantastic atmosphere are still fresh in the Team’s mind will no doubt set them up well for this huge semi-final.”