Henman decides against GB return - 美網 Tennis

Last Updated: Thursday, 17 August 2006, 14:25 GMT 15:25 UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/5259098.stm

Henman decides against GB return
By Simon Austin


Tim Henman will not come out of Davis Cup retirement for Great Britain's
crucial relegation play-off against Ukraine next month.

John Lloyd told BBC Sport he had not succeeded in persuading Henman, who
retired in January 2005, to return.

"Tim is not going to be available for this match," the GB captain said.

"But never say never. I would love to have him involved in some capacity in
the future, even if it's just practising with the players."

Former Australian Open finalist Lloyd succeeded Jeremy Bates as captain
on 9 August.

And he has already told British number four Alex Bogdanovic he will not
be selected for the tie against Ukraine in Odessa next month.

I've spoken to Alex Bogdanovic and told him he won't be involved in the next
match
Jojn Lloyd

The 22-year-old was beaten in straight sets by Noam Okun, who was ranked
122 places below him, when Britain lost to Israel last month.

The same player beat Bogdanovic when the teams met in Tel Aviv last year.

Lloyd said: "I don't think Alex has played to his potential in his two
matches and he'd be the first to admit that.

"I've spoken to him and told him he won't be involved in the next match.

"But that doesn't mean he won't be in the mix in the future - spots in the
team are wide open.

"I'm looking for players to prove they want to play for their country more
than anything else. If they can do that, they'll be in with a shout."

In an interview with BBC Sport last month, before he was appointed, Lloyd
admitted he had reservations about the influence a Davis Cup captain could
actually have on his team.

The 51-year-old was particularly concerned that the presence of the
players' individual coaches could undermine the captain.

But Lloyd, who was Britain's Davis Cup coach when his brother David was
captain from 1995 to 2000, is willing to allow individual coaches to
accompany their players for the trip to Ukraine.

And that is likely to include Andy Murray's coach Brad Gilbert.

"Brad thinks Andy would like him to come along to Ukraine," Lloyd said.

"He obviously seems to have a very good relationship with Andy and I'm not
going to butt heads with him.

"But having said that, I'm the coach of the team and am in charge.

"If the players want their coaches to come along, it's up to them. In fact
I'll be speaking to the coaches even if they're not there for the away ties.

"They spend a hell of a lot more time with the players than I do."

And Lloyd revealed he had spoken to US Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe
and his Australian counterpart John Fitzgerald since landing the job.

They gave him some valuable advice about how to deal with top players
such as Murray.

"They think that with the top players, you are there for support rather than
to change their games or tell them about tactics," Lloyd said.


We used to have a damn good time when I played Davis Cup
John Lloyd

"One of them - and I won't say who - told me they mentioned something to one
of their top players about tactics during a match.

"The player turned round and said 'I think that's bull'.

"So I think you wait until you are asked something by your top players and
then make damn sure you have an answer."

Lloyd, who is currently in negotiations to bring a "top, top coach" into the
team, said he has "absolutely no doubt" that Britain will beat Ukraine.

"This is a match we've got to win," he said. "Then next year will be a time
when I'm willing to take a few chances.

"We won't put sticking plasters on, we'll push forward. I'll spend more time
with the younger players and decide which of them we're going to take forward
with us."

Lloyd, who played in the 1978 Davis Cup final defeat by USA, added: "I want
to ensure we have a good team spirit.

"We used to have a damn good time when I played Davis Cup. It was more fun
than any tournament we played in.

"We worked our backsides off, but had good fun on and off the court. We'd
come away and say we'd had a bloody good week."




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