Football
19y

Tennis-Rusedski commits himself to British Davis Cup team

By Mark Meadows

LONDON, Feb 2 - Greg Rusedski has committed
himself to Britain's Davis Cup team for the long term, starting
with the Euro-African zone match against Israel next month.

The British number two and world number 44 will be Britain's
top-ranked player for the match in Tel Aviv on March 4-6 after
world number seven Tim Henman said last month he was quitting
Davis Cup duty aged 30 to concentrate on the ATP tour.

"I am really looking forward to it and enjoy playing Davis
Cup," Rusedski told Reuters on Wednesday.

"As long as I am still wanted I want to keep playing Davis
Cup."

British tennis fans had feared the 31-year-old would follow
Henman in quitting, leaving them facing a bleak future outside
the elite World Group.

However, Rusedski said he wanted to continue as the future
looked bright for British tennis with a number of youngsters
showing potential like 17-year-old Andrew Murray, who won the
U.S. Open junior title last September.

"I want to help the younger guys coming through," he added.

British Davis Cup captain Jeremy Bates was delighted the
Canadian-born player was sticking with the team.

"Having a world-class player like Greg is valuable to the
squad not only in terms of matchplay ability but also the
experience he can impart on younger members of the team," Bates
said.

Rusedski was knocked out in the second round of the
Australian Open by eventual semifinalist Andy Roddick last month
but managed to snatch a set off the American in going down 6-0
3-6 6-2 6-3.

"I don't feel I am playing my best tennis yet but there are
lots of positives," he said. "I'm looking forward to the season
and enjoying my tennis and hopefully I can get to a stage where
I play the big guys later in the draw."

Rusedski is confident of making an impact this season after
being dogged by a doping controversy last year. He was cleared
in March after a tribunal found the ATP could have been
responsible for his positive nandrolone test.

"I have worked hard in the off-season and there is lots of
optimism but I still feel there is room for improvement," he
said.

"There's only one way for me to go in the rankings this
season and that is upwards."

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