Only ten days to go! We can now confirm that Andy Murray, James Ward, Kyle Edmund, Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot have been named as the five man squad who will tackle the Australians in the mouth-watering Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semi-final.
For the Aegon GB Davis Cup Team’s biggest tie since 1981, captain Leon Smith has called up five players as they bid to continue the thrilling run in the World Group which so far includes memorable wins over USA in March and France in July.
The five players all have experience of the Emirates Arena in Glasgow having been involved six months ago and will return between 18-20 September looking to reach the final, against either Argentina or Belgium, for the first time since 1978.
Great Britain and Australia is one of the oldest rivalries in tennis having first played in 1907 (against a team from Australia and New Zealand) and this will be the 12th time the two sides have met with GB last defeating the green and gold in 1978.
The Aegon GB Davis Cup Team for our first semi-final since 1981:
- Andy Murray
- James Ward
- Jamie Murray
- Dominic Inglot
- Kyle Edmund
What do they say?
Leon Smith:
“I'm delighted to name the five players for the match against Australia. Once again the team will be spearheaded by Andy Murray who has shown incredible dedication and passion to the team in recent ties. After the fantastic performances of all of those involved in our campaign this year, we carry great momentum going into the tie.
"However, we know the test ahead of us and the Australian team have some incredible talent that is worthy of a Davis Cup semi-final. In James Ward we have a player who has shown on more than one occasion he can deliver the upsets required in this tournament, and, in Kyle Edmund, a fantastic young talent who has broken into 100 for the first time recently.
“We will also be travelling to Glasgow with some flexibility for the doubles rubber. Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot are both having a great US Open this year. Jamie and Andy had great success against a very strong French pairing in July, while Dom and Jamie showed what they could do against the greatest doubles team of all time in the Bryan brothers back in March, narrowly losing the fifth set. I know that all of the team will feel a great sense of pride when they pull on their GB shirts and whoever walks out on the court in Glasgow will give everything.
“Our run of home ties in this year’s tournament have been met with the most incredible support. And once again we want everyone who is coming to the tie to make as much noise as possible. We are all so excited to be returning to the Emirates Arena and to Glasgow where we have such fond memories and I'm sure the crowd will be behind us 100%.”
Andy Murray:
“It's always exciting playing in the Davis Cup in front of a home crowd and I love being part of a team and representing my country.
"Australia are a very experienced nation with a proven track record, and while it will be tough, we’ll go into the semi-final with the belief that we can do it.
"The crowd will certainly play a part, we have had amazing support in our last two home ties, and we are all looking forward to this one.”
FACTS
- GB last faced Australia in 2003, losing 5-0 in Sydney
- Australia lead the head-to-head 8-4
- GB were last in a semi-final in 1981, Australia in 2006
- Australia have won the competition 28 times, GB 9
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Tara McGregor-Woodhams, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at Aegon UK, added: “The performance of the Aegon GB Davis Cup Team this year has been remarkable. This historic run has been an achievement we are proud to support. Returning to the scene of the thrilling victory over the USA in March is very exciting and we wish Leon and all of the team the very best of luck.”
Ludovic De Montille, UK Chairman of BNP Paribas, said: “Teamwork is the central theme to the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas – both on and off the court. On behalf of BNP Paribas I would like to thank all our partners – notably the Lawn Tennis Association, the International Tennis Federation and the Emirates Arena, Glasgow – for working together to support what promises to be a fantastic event. Last, but not least, we wish the players of both Great Britain and Australia the best of luck.”