The birth of his first child as well as the upcoming Olympic Games has done little to dampen Andy Murray’s dream of clinching a second consecutive Davis Cup title.
Last year the world No.2 was instrumental in Great Britain’s run to their first Davis Cup title since 1939. In 2015 Murray became only the fourth player to win 11 Davis Cup rubbers within one year. He was also the first man to win three matches during the Davis Cup final since Pete Sampras back in 1995. The achievements by Murray and his team will live with them forever. Nevertheless, the Brit is eager for history to repeat itself.
“I think one of the reasons I’m here this year is because I really want to try and do it again, after experiencing it last year,” Murray told reporters in Birmingham.
“I mean, why not? I never thought we would be able to do it [last year], but then when we did, I was like ‘Why can’t we do it again?’”
The British team will start their title defence against Japan. The Japanese team will be headlined by former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori, a player that Murray has a 5-1 win-loss record against. Murray will play world No.87 Taro Daniel in the first match of the tie. Daniel has recently struggled with his form, winning only one out of his seven main draw matches this year.
Murray spoke about his experience of the Davis Cup last year, describing it as ‘unbelievable’. He played in four Davis Cup ties last year (two on Glasglow, one in London and one in Ghent, Belgium).
“I thought the ties last year were unbelievable. I enjoyed every one of them, in terms of the atmosphere was great”. The world No.2 said.
“It was tough at times physically and mentally after the times of year that the ties were coming, but I think everyone on the team loved that whole experience of winning and I think we would all love to try to do it again.
The two-time Grand Slam champion has previously stated that he will be committed to Great Britain’s Davis Cup aspirations for the rest of this year. The pledge means that Murray could encounter a hectic summer with the Davis Cup, Olympic Games and US Open series taking place.
Murray’s opening match will be followed by Dan Evans against Kei Nishikori. Evans replaces world No.83 Kyle Edmund after he was forced to withdraw due to a back injury. The 25-year-old has reached one Challenger final on the tour this year in Texas. He will face Nishikori in his opening match with the hope that he can reproduce his heroics of 2013. At the US Open that year, he stunned Nishikori in straight sets during the first round.
“It was a long time ago so I don’t really remember much,” The world No.157 said. “Hopefully, I’ve got the game to trouble him.
“I’ve just got to be aggressive and keep the match quite close and hopefully I can come through.”
The upcoming tie between Great Britain and Japan will take place at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham. The first match is scheduled to get underway at 12:30 GMT.
