• Davis Cup

Murray to miss Davis Cup tie

ESPN staff
June 16, 2010
Andy Murray has turned his back on Britain's Davis Cup tie against Turkey © Getty Images
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British No. 1 Andy Murray has ruled himself out of Britain's Davis Cup tie against Turkey next month.

Britain face a must-win relegation play-off at Eastbourne, with the prospect of dropping into the lowest tier of the competition, Group Three of the Euro-African Zone, where they would be playing the likes of Andorra, San Marino and Moldova.

The Lawn Tennis Association had hoped that the appointment of Murray's former coach Leon Smith as the new captain to replace John Lloyd would sway the world No. 4's decision to play in the competition.

With British No. 2 Alex Bogdanovic skipping the tie due to a dispute with the LTA, Smith will be forced to select the likes of world No. 259 Jamie Baker, Dan Evans, ranked 326th in the world, and James Ward, the world No. 342.

Murray, who warms up for Wimbledon with an exhibition match against Lleyton Hewitt on Thursday, claimed he was stepping aside to allow the up-and-coming players to be handed a chance to shine.

"I love playing in the Davis Cup, my results would show that I do," Murray said. "It's something that I do really enjoy playing but it is important that we improve as a team and as a nation. I think we're at a level now where we can win matches without me playing.

"This is a tie we have the potential to win 5-0 without me in the side. It is time we gave the chance to these guys to start to win matches. It is important they improve as a team and it's not necessarily the best way to do that with me playing."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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