Davis Cup: Murray knows no man is an island

One of the fundamental principles of tennis is the notion that victory must be earned. Playing a deuce, advantage sets, even being two points clear in a tie-break – all are measures taken to try and rule out a fluke result.

Matches are even settled best two sets out of three, or three out of five for the men at the slams and during Davis Cup ties. The reason? It is the best possible system to separate the wheat from the chaff.

There are no freak goals, no fatal errors, no critical cock-ups from officials that can in an instant seal a player’s fate in tennis. A result is earned. Players are often described as inspired or woeful if a shock arises – but seldom lucky. Four points a game, six games a set, three (or five) sets a match. And in Davis Cup, five matches a tie – all to ensure the right result.

While a player is capable of winning three decisive rubbers in a Davis Cup tie – Pete Sampras memorably did so in some style against Russia in the 1995 final, perhaps his finest moment on a clay court – such a feat is proving increasingly difficult.

And long may it continue.

The Davis Cup is a team competition, designed to determine the best men’s tennis nation, and the system works. Want proof? Look at the fortunes of Federer, Nadal, and Murray this weekend.

Let’s start at the bottom. “At last we are where we deserve to be.” That was Andy Murray’s assessment of Great Britain’s relegation to the Davis Cup’s Euro-Africa Zone Group II on Sunday – a statement as damning as it was lucid.

“We are clearly are not good enough to play at this level of the competition and even with me playing we are struggling to win matches,” added the world No.3. “We need to be honest about where we are, and this could be the best thing to happen.”

This from a truly world-class player who felt duty-bound to try and bail his country out of the embarrassment of slumping towards the wilderness of the competition’s third tier – while injured.

Murray played three rubbers – ten sets of singles and doubles – in three days, despite nursing a left wrist injury that required ice and painkillers throughout the weekend. By Sunday, he had virtually abandoned his trademark double-fisted backhand, effectively beating Jerzy Janowicz with one arm behind his back.

But the fact is this: try as he might, Murray couldn’t save Great Britain because the Davis Cup is designed to determine the best tennis nations, not the nation with the best individual, however incredible your feats to date.

“We need to be honest about where we are and this could be the best thing to happen” – Murray

Only two major titles elude Roger Federer now that he has completed his career grand slam. An Olympic gold medal in the doubles won’t stop him chasing the singles gold in 2012, but the world No.1 is also intent on landing the Davis Cup for Switzerland before turning his attention to Mirka and the twins.

But even Federer owes a debt to the efforts of compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka for playing the part of support act so well when he has found time to play for the Davis Cup side.

“I truly enjoy playing for my country but I’ll also have to see where I have my priorities for next season, said Federer, already weighing up his priorities for next year after helping Switzerland seal a spot in the World Group against Italy on Sunday.

With Federer and Wawrinka in the squad throughout 2010, Switzerland would have to be considered contenders for the title, but alongside the rigours of the tour such a commitment is often just too much to ask of the top names.

Of course, there are the grand slams but there is also No.1, which is a bit of a dilemma. If I want to play Davis Cup all the time I might have to leave out some Masters 1000 tournaments. Like in the other years, I will see after the Australian Open how I feel and if I play the first round.”

And then there are the defending champions Spain. Albert Costa has an enviable ‘problem’ – his two best players are likely to be available for this year’s final.

After missing the semi-final both Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco will hope to put themselves back into contention in time for the December final against the Czech Republic, after Tommy Robredo, David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez and Juan Carlos Ferrero outclassed shock semi-finalists Israel.

Nadal also missed last year’s final against Argentina, when Verdasco made a name for himself by claining the crucial rubber that sealed the tie. Both will be keen to re-enter the fray – but at whose expense?

“The decision will be very tough,” said former French Open champion Costa. “I have six, seven, eight players that could make the team. But I’m so happy to have these kinds of players for the final.”

The contrast couldn’t be greater – Andy Murray’s braveheart performance was unable to keep Great Britain on the cusp of the World Group as a lone talent in an expensive wilderness, while Nadal may not be risked for the squad in the Davis Cup final for a second year running. And all the while, the best Federer can offer Switzerland is a chance.

That’s the beauty of Davis Cup tennis – one man does not a nation make.