• What The Deuce

Davis Cup duty could spark Murray slam quest

Andy Murray enjoyed playing with Laura Robson at the Hopman Cup © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Murray hits back at Lloyd criticism
  
• News: Murray very close to slam breakthrough - Djokovic
  
• News: Djokovic eyes career Grand Slam
  
• News: Murray admits to errors in semi-final defeat
  
• Features: Murray must not let himself linger on latest defeat
  
• News: Murray's Wimbledon dream dies again at Nadal's hand
  
• Profile: Novak Djokovic | Andy Murray | Rafael Nadal

"We'll make him feel like a million dollars again." Those were the words of Leon Smith, Great Britain's Davis Cup captain and Andy Murray's former coach.

From a high-profile showdown against the world No. 1 and defending champion on Centre Court, with thousands watching on Henman Hill (or Murray Mount) and millions more on television at home (or online in the office), it will be a slightly less prestigious return to action in that well known tennis Mecca, Glasgow.

But there will be just as much support for the Scot as he returns to the city of his birth for his first Davis Cup appearance in nearly two years.

With brother Jamie and fellow Scot Colin Fleming in the team, they will be guaranteed huge support at the Braehead Arena.

"Just arrived in Glasgow for the Davis cup against Luxembourg," Murray wrote on his Twitter page on Sunday night. "Feels great to be back in the city where I was born."

In an inherently individual sport, it is rare for a player to experience the kind of camaraderie of a team sport outside of his coaching set-up. While he may sometimes come across as an introvert, Murray clearly revels in team sports. He came into his own playing football for the ATP Allstars in a charity fundraising match for the Japanese earthquake appeal, and his Playstation duels against Rafael Nadal have been well publicised (Murray teams up with hitting partner Dani Vallverdu, while Nadal joins forces with Juan Monaco for Pro Evo Soccer battles).

Even when he is playing well, Murray rarely looks like he is enjoying himself on court. He produced a tennis masterclass while ripping through four-time champion Andy Roddick at Queen's, but there was not even a glimmer of a smile.

But the last time Murray played for Great Britain, he played alongside Laura Robson at the Hopman Cup, and the Scot even looked like he was enjoying himself in the doubles. He then went on to reach the Australian Open final.

Despite the national support he receives at Wimbledon, the atmosphere at a Davis Cup tie is not like any event on the ATP Tour, and at times is more like a football match.

While Luxembourg's No. 2 Mike Vermeer, ranked No. 974 in the world, may be a long way removed from Nadal, it might be just what the Scot needs.

Novak Djokovic believes last year's Davis Cup was the turning point in his career © Getty Images

Enlarge

It is rare for Murray to return to action so soon after a grand slam (other than the French Open when he heads straight to Queen's Club), but having suffered a slump following a break after the Australian Open, maintaining momentum is key. And what better way to put defeat behind him than a return to his native Scotland, for what should be two confidence-boosting victories?

"The Davis Cup is really important and a good way to get over the disappointment of Wimbledon," Murray told the BBC. "I never really get the chance to play in Scotland, so it will be fun and good to see the other guys."

While the defeat to Nadal is likely to smart, there is no need for an overhaul of his game. Murray needs to put his latest setback firmly behind him and look ahead to what could be a fruitful summer in the US - he has a title to defend in Toronto before beginning his US Open campaign, where he reached his first grand slam final three years ago.

Nadal won the Davis Cup with Spain on home soil in 2009 before winning three grand slams in 2010, while Djokovic guided Serbia to its maiden title in Belgrade last year, the start of a 43-match unbeaten streak.

With Great Britain languishing in the Euro/Africa Zone Group II, Murray is not likely to emulate the success of Djokovic and Nadal any time soon, but the Davis Cup could inspire Murray to go on and win his first grand slam title.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.