Jamie Murray has outlined the imporance of winning the Davis Cup for Britain alongside brother Andy, who he praised for bringing a real sense of calmness to his tennis.
The older Murray brother is more renowned for his success as a
doubles specialist, but has combined successfully with Andy, most
notably in winning key matches against France in the quarter-finals and
Australia in the semi-finals to help Great Britain reach their first
final of the event since 1978.
Citing the support Andy received from the crowd against
Australia in Glasgow in the last four, in an interview conducted before
the attacks on Paris and the heightened security tension in Belgium,
Jamie told The Guardian: "He was just feeling the love from the crowd and it got to him.
Watch the Davis Cup LIVE on British Eurosport: TV schedule
"He doesn’t get the chance to come to Scotland much and he has
great support at home. The Davis Cup just means a huge amount to both me
and Andy.
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE: 'The Davis Cup just means a huge amount to me and Andy’
“Andy brings a calmness to me because I know what I’m going to
get from him. Our games really complement each other when we’re playing
well. It doesn’t matter that we don’t play often together outside of
Davis Cup because we know each other so well. This year, we’ve played
some great matches together, especially against France and Australia."
Andy Murray (R) and Jamie Murray celebrate after winning their match - Reuters
That is likely to come from the doubles on Saturday, adding a huge significance to what the pair produce on Saturday.
“Of course, for us, the doubles is the key match. Andy carries the weight of responsibility, doesn’t he?," said Jamie.
"He’s the guy who has to win both his matches and then we have
to try and win a third rubber and our best chance is probably in the
doubles. But we played the United States and if James Ward hadn’t won
that first day against John Isner
it would’ve been very different. Me and Dom (Inglot) lost that very
close match to the Bryan brothers and so James’ win was crucial. But,
against France and Australia, Andy and I knew if we didn’t win the
doubles that was us done."
Great Britain's Jamie Murray and Andy Murray celebrate between points during their doubles match - Reuters
“There is pressure, but that’s what I like," he said. "It’s
much more fun playing in front of a packed crowd than 50 people. When I
was growing up this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to play on the
biggest courts in front of lots of people … Davis Cup has given me the
chance to do that this year."
“We’re expecting a brilliant experience in Belgium. I think it
will be hard to match the atmosphere in Glasgow but they’re getting
13,000 people which is 4,000 more than Scotland. I think we’ll have
1,300 travelling supporters – 10% of the allocation. Davis Cup is so
intense because the noise levels make every point mean something.
OUR VIEW
Assuming the final takes place in such concerning circumstances
for Belgium, there is no doubting the magnitude of the task the Murray
brothers face. Quite simply, Great Britain do no appear to have any
breathing room if they are going to lift the huge trophy on Sunday. Andy Murray
probably has to win his two matches, and they probably have to win the
doubles too. If they fall short on any three of these elements, they are
unlikely to beat Belgium. It may have hurt their pride at the time, but
it is beneficial that both Murray brothers departed the World Tour
finals before the weekend to practise on clay at London's Queen's Club.
When you consider what is expected of them, this is no time to waste
time on individual pursuits. The Murray brothers are obviously
thoroughly decent and professional sportsmen. They deserve as much
support as possible from British tennis fans, win or lose in Belgium.
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