TOP PLAYERS ARE IN DAVIS CUP

Feb 23, 2011, 8:06:02 PM

TOP PLAYERS ARE IN DAVIS CUP
What is it with some of these so-called tennis reporters in the USA? Do they not do any research? Do they feel their thoughts or their points and questions are gospel? Way too often, especially when it comes to...
What is it with some of these so-called tennis reporters in the USA? Do they not do any research? Do they feel their thoughts or their points and questions are gospel? Way too often, especially when it comes to Davis Cup they are so far off the mark they may as well be on another planet. The new USA Davis Cup captain Jim Courier held a conference call on the eve of his debut as Captain. The USA will travel to Chile next week for their first round tie in Santiago. There was plenty to pick fault with in the conference call but let’s start with a question about players participating in Davis Cup. That’s if the original question which went forever didn’t put you to sleep. Amazing how Courier didn’t nod off. The question came down to the fact that “... obviously top players aren’t playing too much.” Is this reporter serious? How about eight of the top ten players are playing Davis Cup? Maybe he feels that Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, David Ferrer, Robin Soderling, Fernando Verdasco etc are not top players or big enough names. Because the USA does not have a player ranked among the top five does not mean the top players are not playing. The only names missing are Roger Federer and Andy Murray from the top ten and they have their own agendas as to why they are not playing. That’s 20%. In case the guy struggles with maths that means 80% of the top ten are playing. Then add to the list the likes of David Nalbandian, the hot shot player of the moment Milos Raonic and a whole host of others who are the leading players for their respective nations. Oh, I know what it is; he reckons because Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and Andre Agassi are not playing, the top names are not there. Dude, it may have escaped you but they have all retired. They don’t play the regular tour anymore. Roddick has been a Davis Cup stalwart. Last year he did not play because he wanted to focus on his individual career and I don’t believe anyone could deny him that. A-Rod has made it clear that he is very eager to be part of Davis Cup once again. To quote Courier: “Andy is definitely excited about Davis Cup (and) has always been passionate about it”. This matter really irks me. Many among the American tennis media think the sport revolves around American tennis. Don’t get me wrong, it is fantastic to have an American player at the upper echelons of the sport, but tennis is a truly global sport and no longer the domain of the USA and Australia, the two nations that dominated tennis for so many decades. It seems like the view of some of these tennis reporters in the USA is if English is not the first language, then the majority of the players don’t matter. How incredibly narrow minded.