Davis Cup: After Zverev & Thiem - Andy Murray is also missing in Innsbruck
After Alexander Zverev (criticism of the format) and Dominic Thiem (due to injury) announced their cancellation for the Davis Cup final tournament in Innsbruck, Andy Murray has now also declared that he does not want to start in Tyrol.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Oct 14, 2021, 07:25 am
The Davis Cup has simply not gotten rid of the big problems from its infancy since its reform. Biggest point of criticism: the format. The new mode as a final tournament, so the reading of the critics, destroys the typical Davis Cup mood. And that was simply the decisive reason why a number of top players decided to serve in the international match despite the full tournament calendar.
Now, because of the elimination of this reason, many top players see little attraction in the event. For example Alexander Zverev, who repeatedly criticized the restructuring in order to announce at the same time that he will not start in Innsbruck. The eagerly awaited international match between Austria and Germany will therefore take place without the two big stars after it was clear that Dominic Thiem would not be fit on time due to his wrist injury.
Murray points to strong competition
Andy Murray, three-time Grand Slam champion and former number one in the world, joined this series of prominent cancellations. Just after his defeat by Alexander Zverev in Indian Wells, the Scot declared that he would not be able to support Great Britain in the international match. "I have no plans to compete in this Davis Cup. I want to give my body a break and spend the offseason with my family," said Murray.
According to the 34-year-old, he is in no shape to contest this event. An event that means a lot to him. "I played there at the end of 2019. At the moment I don't feel ready to play this competition. I'm not sure whether I deserve a place in the national team," explained Murray, referring to the very strong competition from his own Land: "We have good players like Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans or Liam Brody who can achieve great things." Players who could hardly mobilize such masses in Austria as the name Andy Murrray is able to do.