Murray confirms Davis Cup break
By Allan Hendry on January 02, 2010, 11:30 PM
This confirmation comes as no surprise to anyone, especially as LTA chief Roger Draper said back in September that he was happy for the British number 1 miss Davis Cup in 2010 to concentrate on winning Grand Slams.
We have a talented young players who need Davis Cup experience to help with their career development.
I'm happy to step aside for this match and will take decisions on future ties with the LTA.
It's important we get back up the groups in the Davis Cup over the next few years.
My focus in 2010 is on performing well in the Masters events and improving my record in the Grand Slams.
I'm always available for my country and am happy to help whenever needed.
The talented younger players include Dan Evans who debuted against Poland, James Ward (who has recently been practicing with Rafa Nadal), Jamie Baker who is on the up again after a life threatening illness in 2008 and possibly GB's top doubles team, "Flemski", consisting of Colin Fleming and Ken Skupski.
Murray defends the decision:
It would be a bit unfair to single me out.
Federer has missed Davis Cup matches, Rafa (Nadal) has missed Davis Cup matches, as has (Novak) Djokovic, (Pete) Sampras and (Andre) Agassi.
A lot better players than me have missed Davis Cup matches.
It's just because the team has struggled in the past few years that if I didn't play then there was a good chance that we were going to lose, whereas now we can still win.
I don't think it's a case of me abandoning Great Britain. I've played a lot of matches for them and I'm here (at the Hopman Cup) representing them as well.
Murray will next take to the match court during the Hopman Cup on Monday evening (Australian time) against Kazakhstan's Andrey Golubev.
Excellent. A very satisfactory decision for everyone. Andy really must be left to focus on his career for the foreseeable future. However, "Flemski" have already proved their worth by winning two ATP titles, and I'm not sure that their inclusion would be desirable just now as our other players will gain confidence from playing together as a team in Zone 2 where they have a realistic chance of success, which will give them the motivation to pull Britain back up to a higher level. Also good to see Rafa taking an interest.
January 03, 2010, 01:55 AM
By Aileen
By Aileen
Very good news and an utterly sensible decision.
January 03, 2010, 10:11 AM
By janscribe
By janscribe
I see he's having to defend his course of action already 
Andy Murray withdraws from British Davis Cup tie
British number one Andy Murray insists he has not abandoned the British team despite pulling out of the forthcoming Davis Cup match against Lithuania.
The 22-year-old says he is missing the tie in March so younger players can gain more international experience.
The Scot said it was "unfair" to criticise him when other top players had also skipped Davis Cup matches.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8438187.stm
Damned if you do, damned if you don't
Stuff them Andy - concentrate on you for the time being (and Laura whilst in Perth
)
Andy Murray withdraws from British Davis Cup tie
British number one Andy Murray insists he has not abandoned the British team despite pulling out of the forthcoming Davis Cup match against Lithuania.
The 22-year-old says he is missing the tie in March so younger players can gain more international experience.
The Scot said it was "unfair" to criticise him when other top players had also skipped Davis Cup matches.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8438187.stm
Damned if you do, damned if you don't
Stuff them Andy - concentrate on you for the time being (and Laura whilst in Perth
)
January 03, 2010, 10:38 AM
By Bevc
By Bevc
"We have a talented young players"
LOL
LOL
January 03, 2010, 11:20 AM
By David
By David
So glad Andy has made this decision. I think it's the wisest thing to do at this point in his career.
January 03, 2010, 12:41 PM
By Elly
By Elly
Great choice - should have done this as soon as he'd broken into the top 10. 
January 03, 2010, 12:56 PM
By boogers
By boogers
This is a goo decision. Murray is going to have a great 2010. DC is not a priority for Murray.
January 03, 2010, 02:09 PM
By Mark R
By Mark R
LittleBuddha
Long overdue he should have done this long ago. It is time that GB started to produce some good players. Andy did it the hard way. Going to Spain and working hard. I think this is what is required if we are going to be any force in Tennis.
Long overdue he should have done this long ago. It is time that GB started to produce some good players. Andy did it the hard way. Going to Spain and working hard. I think this is what is required if we are going to be any force in Tennis.
January 03, 2010, 02:39 PM
By Littlebuddha
By Littlebuddha
Yeah good decision. He's spend the past couple of years having to appease the public and the media by playing, but the tie against poland showed that even if he wins his two rubbers we are gonna lose against any half decent opposition.
Give Evans another shot, and maybe Ward.
Give Evans another shot, and maybe Ward.
January 03, 2010, 03:10 PM
By nestingus
By nestingus
By Mark