Andy Murray plans support the British Davis Cup team throughout their clash against Canada in absentia with phone calls and text messages according to team captain Leon Smith.
The world No.1 has opted to skip the tie in order to extend his rest period from the tour following his disappointing run in Melbourne. In January Murray reached the final at the Doha Open (losing to Novak Djokovic) before suffering a shock exit in the fourth round at the Australian Open.
“It’s the right thing for him to do what he’s doing, stay at home, get some rest,” team captain Smith said in support of Murray’s absence.
In recent years the Glasgow-born player has been an instrumental figure in the team. During 2015, he guided Britain to their first Davis Cup title since 1936 by winning all 11 rubbers he played in. Last year he was stunned in a five-set epic by Juan Martin del Potro during the semifinals of the competition, which Argentina won 3-2.
Murray is regarded as a highly influential figure in his team. Even when he is unavailable for participation, Brit has previously attended ties as a spectator to support his fellow teammates. This time round the 29-year-old will not be seen sitting besides the court in Canada. Instead, he will communicate with the team in other ways.
“We all miss him because he is such a great influence both on and off the court. Like we saw last year, he puts a lot of interest and care into this team,’ said Smith.
‘He obviously gets on really well with the four players here and he will be watching for sure. He will send in messages. I will get to see them at some point, although I’m not allowed a phone on court. I’m sure he will ping some messages back and forwards.”
Regardless of the absence of the world No.1, Britain will be headlined by top 50 players Dan Evans and Kyle Edmund. Evans recently achieved his best performance at a grand slam tournament by defeating Bernard Tomic and Marin Cilic on route to the fourth round at the Australian Open. Meanwhile, Edmund defeated top 20 players Benoit Paire and Richard Gasquet last season. The team will also be joined by doubles specialists Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot.
Canada will also be missing their top player. Milos Raonic has pulled out of the competition due to an injury to his abductor muscle. Subsequently, the home team will not have a player ranked inside the top 100 representing them. Combining both young and old faces, the Canadian team features Vasek Pospisil, Peter Polansky, Denis Shapovalov and Daniel Nestor. 44-year-old Nestor, who started his Davis Cup career 25 years ago with a shock win over Stefan Edberg, will be playing in his 50th tie.
“In terms of the rankings (of the Canadians) and what’s going on on paper it doesn’t make too much of a difference just because of the way the Davis Cup format is. Also sometimes players play better and sometimes play worse in Davis Cup. You just have to take it likes it’s 0-0 on the day and earn the win.” British player Edmund said.
The first round clash will begin on Friday at The Arena at TD Place in Ottawa.
