image: Zuma Press

Federer doesn’t normally play in the event whereas Nadal prefers to represent his country when he can.  Spain won the title last year and beat Israel 4-1 last weekend during the semifinals but they did it without their star player who is currently battling an abdominal injury.

Meanwhile, the United States will face Serbia which means that a match-up between Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick is very possible.

“It’s certainly a huge match, and certainly Djokovic playing in his home country will be tough,” United States Tennis Association coach and former Davis Cup captain Tom Gullikson said. “But Roddick actually had some very good success against him this year and hopefully that’ll continue into the first round of Davis Cup next year.”

Here are the other first-round pairings:

• Belgium vs. Czech Republic
• Germany vs. France
• Argentina vs. Sweden
• Russia vs. India
• Ecuador vs. Croatia
• Chile vs Israel

The United States will have to travel to Serbia to compete and, while it’s true that it’s less fun to play away from home, the Americans have won a record 32 Davis Cup titless.

The Americans have used Roddick and 24th-ranked James Blake as their two singles players for several years, but 25th-ranked Sam Querrey is now another option for captain Patrick McEnroe.

“He’s a rising young American star and he would certainly be competing for the No. 2 spot,” Gullikson said. “Blake didn’t have the best year this year, up to his standards, but I think we’ll still be a very formidable team.”

I’m really looking forward to the Davis Cup.  Even though Federer often opts out of the event, I think it’s possible that he will want to compete if it means going head-to-head with Nadal.

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Spain vs. Switzerland at 2010 Davis Cup

image: TSN

The American team were playing without star, Andy Roddick, who suffered a hip-injury during his battle against Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final.  Roddick withdrew from the Davis Cup soon after.

Of the loss, Blake said: “It shows how important Andy is for the team.  Being on the No. 2 spot is less pressure than playing on the No. 1 spot.”

While I understand what he’s saying (and admire that he’s giving Roddick some much-deserved respect), I also think that Blake should have gone into the tournament with the attitude that he would have to rise to the occasion and perform well for his country under pressure.  There’s nothing that can be done about it now but, hopefully, this will be a learning lesson for Blake.

Croatia will face the Czech Republic in the semifinals.

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USA Eliminated From Davis Cup

Third seed Andy Murray was forced to pull out of the Dubai Championships due to illness. He admitted that he has been hindered with an illness since the Australian Open.

Murray started to feel worse after he won the match against Arnaud Clement on Wednesday.

"I woke up in the middle of the night sweating," he said. "I went to the doctor and started taking antibiotics, but I have felt very tired all week. I have felt cold and shivery and had a sore throat, I feel that my temperature is up, and my body feels bad."

What is in Murray’s future when it comes to the Davis Cup next week?

"I will have to rest and see," he said. "If I feel bad I won’t play, and if I feel fine I will play," he said.

What is it exactly that is affecting Murray’s health. The worry is that he is developing a form of mononucleosis, the same illness that affected Roger Federer last season.

I hope Andy Murray feels better because I really want to see him play in the Davis Cup. He was a favorite to win a Grand Slam at the beginning of this year.

Source: Tennis.com

Image Credit: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Andy Murray Pulls Out of Dubai Because of Virus

Now that Rafael Nadal has won the 2009 Australian Open, what’s next for the Brazilian? The Davis Cup!

“My objective is the Davis Cup, which I wasn’t able to play last year. To win it is my dream this year,” said Nadal after winning the Open.

Nadal has no plans of slowing down and is also already talking about the U.S. Open.

“The U.S. Open is a tournament that has always taken a little bit more out of me,” Nadal said. “Last year it was a shame that I arrived tired, but my objective is to continue improving because it’s the only way to complete, or at least try for, the Grand Slam.”

The 2009 Australian Open champion commented about how emotional Roger Federer was after being defeated by Nadal.

“I wasn’t able to enjoy this win too much after seeing Federer in the state that he was in after losing the final. It leaves you a little shaken,” Nadal said. “I think that mentally he made such a mountain of it that he came crashing down, but that can happen to anybody.”

More photos of Nadal posing with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup below.

Source: Tennis.com

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Rafael Nadal Has His Eyes Set on the Davis Cup

Spanish tennis officials chose Madrid as the site for the Davis Cup semifinal with the United States. Players – including Rafael Nadal – had said Madrid was one of the worst locations to choose since the Americans would be benefitted by the high altitude.

Madrid is Europe’s highest capital at 600 meters and will be better for Andy Roddick’s fast serves than the coastal cities. So naturally, the Spanish team is – for lack of a better term – pissed off.

Maybe it’s just me, but I kind of thought the Spanish tennis officials would want to favor their country’s team if at all possible. I know – obviously it’s just me.

Post from: EveryJoe

Spanish Team Upset with Davis Cup Location

Murray stated he would play for Great Britain at the Davis Cup in September when the Brits play Austria. After the debacle that surrounded his decision to not play for his country in Buenos Aires, Great Britain’s tennis team was relieved to hear that Murray had already committed to play in five months.

Relieved? Well, I suppose so. Despite Murray’s temperamental manner (and temperamental hair), the boy-man can play tennis when he sets his mind to it. Although Murray did provide himself with an out should he need one.

“If I’m fit, I will play,” said the Scot.

And just whose responsibility is it to declare whether he’s fit to play or not? Exactly my point.

Post from: EveryJoe

Murray Back for Davis Cup, Potentially

Tsonga will be replaced with Arnaud Clement – whoever that is. Richard Gasquet, Paul Henri-Mathieu and Michael Llodra. And the United States will be represented by the Fixed Four – Andy Roddick, James Blake and Bob and Mike Bryan.

Otherwise, not a whole lot is happening in the tennis world. I mean – Venus withdrew from the Family Circle Cup because of illness and Lindsay Davenport is rolling at Amelia Island – but what’s new about that?

Post from: EveryJoe

Tsonga Out of Davis Cup with Injury

Consistency – that’s something that hasn’t been equated with the U.S. since the days of Agassi and Pete Sampras, the days when Americans were dotted all over men’s tennis in a dominating sort of way.

This consistency – it doesn’t equal wins or being thrust back into the limelight, but it’s a place to start.

Post from: EveryJoe

Familiar Team for U.S. in Davis Cup

That’s nice. Now why did there have to be a huge deal made about Nadal playing? Complete with a comment from Nadal and everything: “Right now I’m with Tommy (Robredo) and at Indian Wells I’ll go with David Ferrer to prepare for the Olympic Games and the next Davis Cup tie against Germany.”

That statement is useless. It’s about as useful as me releasing a statement that says, “I am a woman, and I can prove it.”

My point? Sometimes tennis news isn’t really news. It’s more of a…statement. And no one would give a crap if it wasn’t Rafa. The next time I’m number two in the world for my professional tennis playing skills, I’ll be sure and not waste everyone’s time with announcements that don’t say anything.

As useless as Rafa’s statement already is, it’s made even more so by the lack of a certain element. Time. When is he going with David Ferrer to prepare for the Olympics and the Davis Cup? How am I supposed to properly stalk him when I don’t have a time frame?

Post from: EveryJoe

Nadal to play Davis Cup

After Murray dropped his little surprise announcement on his website and left his agent to call John Lloyd, the captain for Britain, with his decision. Also amazing…

Apparently Lloyd and Murray had a little tete-a-tete and Murray has signed up for the future Davis Cup battles.

And then there is the whole brotherly love thing going on between Jamie and Andy with Jamie publicly expressing that two haven’t spoken since Jamie found out about Andy’s decision to withdraw from Buenos Aires, but I’m going to leave that whole thing alone. I try to make it my business to not chit-chat about family matters. Too messy.

Post from: EveryJoe

Andy Murray Back on Board for Britain