What a load of Brit
Sep2120093:29 p.m.
So Britain slipped into the third tier of Davis Cup tennis as the mighty Poland’s players proved as much of a test as pronouncing their surnames.
I follow the tennis pretty closely, but even I struggled to recall ever seeing their star players such as giant Jerzy Janowicz, Michal Przysiezny, Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski before. I’d probable struggle to add up their collective world rankings too without my abacus.
I was there to witness the far from titanic struggle, as Andy Murray did his best to kept Britannia afloat, but ultimately failed as GB sunk into Group 2 - exactly where they belong at present.
What is surprising about Davis Cup tennis is the razmattaz that goes with it, which is unlike anything you’d witness at the All England Club. Inbetween points there’s the carnival atmosphere, and then it almost like someone flicks a switch as it’s back to silence as the points are played out. There can’t be many sports played out in that kind of stop-start atmosphere and where the crowd are just so well mannered.
Here’s another pic to give you a taste of what it was like. I had a good time despite the overall match result, and you’ll see I had a good spot at the baseline and even saw Greg and Sue doing their bit for the BBC. I just wonder whether I’ll turn up next time for Davis Cup action when GB will be playing some of the giant tennis playing nations like…Lithuania, Bulgaria and Monaco. Now where has that Lawn Tennis Association money really been spent?
Don't forget to cast your vote in the poll (to the left of this blog) regarding whether John Lloyd should now step down as GB Davis Cup captain?
Check out the full range of my Davis Cup photos from Liverpool on Facebook. You'll find lots of pics of Murray and even Sue Barker.
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Comments (5)
Keith_L 'Simon Think your last question is the interesting one - where has the money gone? Cant think of any other sports that have the long term cash that Tenis has had in the UK and the "professional" set up with so poor results. If it wasn't for the odd maveric (aka Murray, Henman) then we would have been in Div 3 years ago. The LTAs direction of the game is hardly a case study to be followed.' added 21st Sep 2009
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Flanker2 'I think,,,,(Yes I do sometimes Simon)!,,, the game has pretty much been the reserve of the richer classes in this country for far too long, unlike all the other nations (up and coming) and already elite, where you get to play at the top level on merit. I know we are letting this happen a bit more now, but it's far toooo little, far tooooo late and frankly, we are now paying the price for it! How come our rowers are doing so well?...How come our cyclists are doing so well??.....How come our martial arts experts are doing so well???....How come our boxers are doing so well????....It's because they are not bloody elitist and they are not tucked so far up their own backsides that they can't see what they are doing to the sport they say they love!... Rant over, but we really do have to reform the sport, FROM THE TOP DOWN NOW!!!!!.............Anyways SImon, if you could remember any of the, the Polish team would be worth a small fortune in a game of Scrabble???...' added 21st Sep 2009
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Johnf 'Have to agree with mista nice guy, if you stop 90% of the nation from playing it your talent pool starts off pretty small. And its actually not that expensive a sport either, the basic equipment young players need is exactly that, basic.' added 21st Sep 2009
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jamieB 'I can relate to the comments about Tennis and it's overall national setup. I used to train/get coached/play at a small club in a Village in Notts. I used to go because my Mum's boss used to play there and recommended me at the age of 12. My dad didn't play but my mum was useful until her early twenties. I really enjoyed it and wanted to develop it. However, when I went to have a look around a city centre club in Nottm I felt that were out of my league in tems of equipment and support despite being able to compete against them on the court. It was too much old fart/old school tie and I could see that at an early age. Tennis has not improved with the times and is not inclusive despite the govt money and support. Golf doesn't have this problem maybe because there are plenty of municipal courses and young players are welcome. Public tennis courts aren't maintained and the facilities aren't there. It's not easy for an inner city kid to get into it. I think Paris has more courts than the UK and it's easier to get a game there as a kid! Jimmy Connors came from municipal courts as did the Williams sisters - street fighters who have a bit of grit rather than people who sit on LTA/lottery funding - winners. Murray has started to get the fight but there are plenty of light weights out there. It really frustrates me as you can tell! I gave it up because there was no point trying to compete against the tradition. Other sports such as cricket, football, golf and cycling were more welcoming to me... Career earnings? Dalglish or Henman? Well one was top of his game and the best of his generation. The other didn't but got the cash and the Persil ads...' added 21st Sep 2009
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Simon_Doyle 'Thanks for all the comments guys. Are there no girls that read this blog? I'd have to agree with you all there. Money has been frittered away with little success. The fact is, tennis opportunities are open to the few not the many. This means the pool of 'talent' is very small and very unlikely to have caught the best potential players. Without being harsh, this is akin to spending money 'trying to polish a turd'. No matter how much is put into the current crop of players, they will never be world class.' added 22nd Sep 2009
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