EXCLUSIVE – Davis Cup captain Leon Smith echoes Andy Murray views as he outlines vision for tennis in 2021

British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith has echoed Andy Murray’s hope that the imminent approval of Covid-19 vaccines offer real hope that the tennis world can return to somewhere near normal ahead of next summer’s Wimbledon Championships.
With doubts over the start date of the Australian Open amid concerns over quarantine issues in Melbourne, the light at the end of a challenging period for the sport appears to be provided by the vaccines that are rapidly heading towards being approved.
Former world No.1 Murray believes all players should be willing to take a vaccine when they are given the green light by scientists and in an exclusive interview with Tennis365, 2015 David Cup winning captain Smith suggests a light is emerging at the end of a challenging year for the sport.
“You have got to trust the scientists to ensure there is safety around these vaccines and whne they say it is good to go, I would certainly be happy take it,” confirmed Smith.
“Things are moving at such a pace and we are all checking our phones every day to see what the latest developments are.
“We have some muddy water to get through in the first few months of the year, but when a vaccine happens it will be massive for everyone, including our sport.
“The scientists keep telling us it is going to be better after the Spring and from our point of view in tennis, having a grass court season that feels more normal is exciting.
“It is not just the vaccine as I’m sure by then, testing protocols will be much more advanced than they are now to have rapid testing to get fans in. It will feel damn good when that happens.”
The conclusion of the 2020 Davis Cup should have been taking place in Madrid this weekend, yet the tournament was called off at the start of the Covid-19 crisis amid fears that the entire tennis year would be brought to a premature halt.
Yet after two Grand Slam events, a host of tournaments and the ATP Finals were played in a surprisingly hectic second half of the season, Smith saluted those who have found a way to get tournaments on in challenging conditions.
“It is amazing how people have pulled together to make things happen to get tennis going,” he added. “This challenge is going to go on for some time, but everyone has pulled together to make it happen.
“This period will give us all some perspective about how much we miss something when it is taken away from us and the feeling when we have full-on crowds back in, back to normal, is going to be amazing.
“It is sad that we didn’t have the Davis Cup this year and who knows whether it could have been played this week given all the tennis we have seen.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Wimbledon
John McEnroe on Wimbledon and ATP-WTA’s tit-for-tat spat: ‘It’s just a damn shame that it’s come to this’
John McEnroe unimpressed by both decisions.
-
Wimbledon
Carlos Alcaraz will be ‘dangerous’ at Wimbledon once he gets matches under his belt, says pundit
Alex Corretja explains why Carlos Alcaraz could be a dangerous opponent at Wimbledon.
-
Wimbledon
John McEnroe on Serena Williams’ Wimbledon chances: ‘She could lose in first round or win the tournament’
John McEnroe feels it is difficult to predict how Serena Williams will perform at Wimbledon.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal ‘feeling good’ ahead of Wimbledon, but coach admits he is third favourite for the title
Rafael Nadal “aims to win” Wimbledon, but he is only third favourite.
-
ATP Tour
Nick Kyrgios ‘disagrees’ with Patrick Mouratoglou about ATP’s decision to ‘legalise’ off-court coaching
Nick Kyrgios not a fan of off-court coaching.
-
ATP Tour
Jack Draper admits one aspect of his personality compares to Andy Murray
The 20-year-old Draper is the final British player in the tournament with Cameron Norrie, Ryan Peniston and Harriet Dart all knocked out on Thursday.
-
Wimbledon
Exclusive – Tim Henman’s verdict on Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon hopes
Henman suggests the teenager who went on to win the US Open in remarkable fashion should not be burdened with pressure at Wimbledon.
-
News
Jack Draper topples Ryan Peniston in battle of Brits to gain Eastbourne semi-finals
Draper is the final British player in the tournament with Cameron Norrie, Ryan Peniston and Harriet Dart all knocked out on Thursday.
-
ATP Tour
Stefanos Tsitsipas needed ‘fighting spirit’ to reach Mallorca last four
Stefanos Tsitsipas is the highest-ranked player in the Mallorca last four.
-
Wimbledon
Emma Raducanu latest: Young star on track to be fit for Wimbledon
The US Open champion suffered a side strain during her first-round match in Nottingham.