LTA designate Leon Smith as new Davis Cup captain

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Leon Smith, a former manager to Andy Murray, has been reliable as Britain"s new Davis Cup captain.

The 34-year-old Scot has been entrusted with the nation"s Davis Cup future, despite carrying never coached any one over the age of sixteen and carrying usually played youth county tennis for the West of Scotland. But Smith, who has effectively been the head of mens tennis at the LTA for the past dual years, has been plucked from relations shade to one of the hottest seats in the business.

"This is a outrageous honour and an overwhelming plea for me," Smith said. "I know the players, and I know that together we can get Britain back to winning ways in the Davis Cup."

In the arise of last months disturbance opposite Lithuania and the abdication of John Lloyd, the captain, the LTA was ready to chaperon Greg Rusedski, who played for a jot down thirteen years for his adopted country, in to the role. However, the LTA done it transparent they would not find to designate a high-profile name and Smith"s attribute with Murray is accepted to have played a big part in the decision.

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The span began operative together when the universe series 4 was eleven and Smith oversaw Murray"s swell to the tip of the youth diversion and his initial forays into the comparison ranks. The attribute one after another whilst Murray was at the Sanchez-Casal academy in Barcelona and Smith was courtside when his associate Scot won the US Open youth pretension in 2004.

Smith, who has been a veteran tennis manager for sixteen years, was majority recently the LTA"s head of player growth in men"s tennis. He has additionally been allocated LTA head of men"s tennis as one of the recommendations of a review carried out by LTA player executive Steven Martens following last month"s defeat.

"Leon is the undiluted fit for this critical role, at this theatre in the development of British men"s tennis," Martens said. "He"s a immature British manager full of appetite and passion, who"s already valid he"s a discerning learner, and has the apply oneself of the players."

Great Britain"s subsequent Davis Cup tie is a Europe/Africa Zone Group II compare against Turkey at Eastbourne on Jul 9-11 where Smith will be upheld by a selection of British coaches.

The subject right away is either Murray will assistance out his old manager and fool around in the matches, that come a week after the Wimbledon championships.