Lloyd resigns as Britain's Davis Cup captain

17 March 2010

John Lloyd has resigned as Britain's Davis Cup captain less than a fortnight after the British team lost to Lithuania - minus their best player, Andy Murray, who opted not to appear for his country in a match GB almost certainly would have won if he'd played . That was GB's fifth straight loss in Davis Cup tennis.

In a statement on the website of the Lawn Tennis Association, Lloyd says: "Davis Cup captaincy is a tough job and I’m sure that the next captain will be as passionate as I was and have no doubt that the team is capable of defeating Turkey in July. I have been a Davis Cup player, captain and now it is time for me to become a fan.”

The LTA's chief executive, Roger Draper, said: “I would like to thank John for all his efforts and in particular recognise his real achievement in guiding the team back into the World Group of the Davis Cup. He has always shown great passion and enthusiasm as captain.”

Following Great Britain’s recent defeat to Lithuania, Draper asked LTA player director, Steven Martens, to review Great Britain’s Davis Cup performance. Martens found Lloyd "is not to blame for our current lack of depth in the men's game and so I am widening my review to look across men’s tennis.”

It has not been specified whether this "widening" of the review will include asking Murray next time: "Please can you play for us?"