Glasgow set for last hurrah in Davis Cup

0 Interaction with children is one of the most enjoyable elements of Davis Cup week says Leon Smith.

Arena next month as part of the LTA and Tennis Scotland’s Tennis for Kids initiative. Aimed at 4 to 11-year-olds who have never played the game, the scheme was conceived following Great Britain’s 2015 Davis Cup success.

So far more than 3,500 children in Scotland have taken part and Smith claims that interaction with kids it is an element of Davis Cup week that the players enjoy most.

“We will lose out on the chance to do more work

around these home ties. The players honestly really enjoy that side of it. When I spoke to the players about doing these things and being more interactive – and it was Jamie Murray in the first place who sowed the seeds on this with a conversation we had in a locker room at the French Open – they wanted to get as many children as possible involved.

“They really embrace that. So, we will miss that. But it will sharpen the thoughts of the LTA because we need to think about what we can do to still get out there.

“In Glasgow we had a Challenger back in May, at Scotstoun, and that was really well attended. It was brilliant, one of the best attended events on our Challengers circuit, including the grass court challengers that we have and there were hundreds of kids there watching in the stands and involved in activities.

“We need to do more of these events to really make sure that children and new fans get access to what we do.”

But the fact this could potentially be the last ever Davis Cup tie in Glasgow, has forced former world No 1 Andy Murray to consider making himself available, despite the fact he is still on an arduous journey on the road to recovery after a year out of the game following a hip operation.

He will assess his fitness in the wake of his tough US Open defeat by Fernando Verdasco, with Smith waiting to finalise his squad next week.

“Wehaveastrongteamanda team that keeps getting better and better.” said Smith. “Look at the rise of Kyle Edmund and Cameron Norrie and we have Jamie Murray playing great tennis this summer, Dan Evans has come back really well and we have Andy back competing.

“So once I have had a few conversations to see where the players are at, and we announce the team, I think there will be great excitement. It is going to be a great occasion.” l Catch Great Britain and Uzbekistan at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena, 14-16th September. For more information and tickets visit lta.org.uk/daviscup