Australia’s Jordan Thompson, coming off an Australian summer where he defeated David Ferrer and world number 37 Joao Souza, led Australia to a 4-1 victory over the Czech Republic at last weekend’s Davis Cup tie in Melbourne.
Thompson was called upon after Bernard Tomic made himself unavailable, naming scheduling reasons for his absence.
And he made the most of the opportunity.
Thompson said prior to the tie that representing Australia in the Davis Cup was his life-long dream, and that it was the biggest moment of his young career. He started with a straight-sets win over world number 54 Jiri Vesely, and won his dead rubber on Day 3 in straight sets.
Thompson played with a passion similar to that of his tennis idol and current Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt. That heart and determination to win for his country impressed fans and commentators throughout the Australian summer.
But ranked over thirty ranking spots below Tomic, should he get the nod when Australia takes on the U.S.A in April?
Firstly, Tomic would have to declare himself available for the tie, which many expect him to do. He has a terrific Davis Cup record, winning 17 of his 21 singles matches for Australia.
But having skipped Davis Cup on multiple occasions now, should he be an instant selection if available?
No, he shouldn’t.
Davis Cup is one of the biggest tests of character in tennis. Playing in front of ruckus crowds and with your teammates sitting courtside, any mental weakness over a five-set battle can cost a country a tie.
For this reason, it is important to have a player who is one hundred per cent committed to winning for their country and their teammates on court, which Tomic has shown he is not. The same argument could be made for Nick Kyrgios’ on-court dedication, but the difference is that he has put his hand up to play Davis Cup whenever he has been healthy.
The team that beat the Czech Republic just last weekend had great team chemistry and energy, and breaking up that team might disrupt things on the practice courts.
If Tomic were to play, his results could be good. They could be great. He would be playing Jack Sock, John Isner, Sam Querrey or Steve Johnson, players with similar rankings to his. But what message does it send to the rest of the team and the rest of the tennis nation if a player is in and out of the team to suit themselves?
Players like John Peers, Sam Groth and Jordan Thompson are setting the right example to a younger generation of Aussie tennis players, just as Lleyton Hewitt inspired the likes of Thompson and Alex De Minaur.
It is not an easy decision to leave Tomic out of a Davis Cup tie, as he is a player who can potentially win big matches over the next five or six years. But it is a decision that has to be made for the integrity of the Australian Davis Cup team to be upheld.
Justin Ahrns
Roar Guru
All good. He's certainly a useful player to have in the system if required.
jonty smith
Roar Guru
I apologise for that, I had in my head sock was verdasco- Not sure why. Yes your right not to have him since America don't have a lefty
Justin Ahrns
Roar Pro
He's definitely the better player at the moment, but it sets a bad example to younger players in my opinion.
Ben
Roar Guru
Thompson has been around since breakfast... Of course i would choose Tomic!
Justin Ahrns
Roar Guru
Yes you are right about Sousa, thank you. I've always loved Millman's attitude and work ethic, and I think Davis Cup should be an opportunity to reward people like him, Thompson and in a few years, De Minaur. Alex Bolt is great to have around the squad if there is a lefty on the other team especially. As you say he has great doubles skill, and just recently beat De Minaur at a challenger event, and also made the doubles final there. Watching him and Blake Mott in AO quallies was great, they both played some terrific tennis. As for the team to take on the U.S, I agree we should keep the same team. Only weakness is that Peers doesn't play singles and Groth has fallen back in singles, largely due to his injuries. But I think it's a good team nonetheless.
jonty smith
Roar Guru
Good topic and well written. Peers Groth Thompson and Kyrgios should definitely be the team I think Peers and Groth for doubles and Thompson and Kyrgios for singles. Thompson, I think has the foundation to be a great player- Note Thompson beat Joao Sousa not Souza, they are actually two different people. As for reserves, I love Millman's fighter spirit and hope to see him around the team in april if fit. I agree De Minaur around the squad would be great but also I'd like to see Alex Bolt around the squad. I thought he had a great summer and his powerful game closely resembles that of Jack Sock, I believe, having watched him in qualifying for AO. He showed his doubles nous as well en route to a qf showing with Bradley Mousley should Peers/Groth go down.
Justin Ahrns
Roar Guru
That's what I'd expect and hope. But there's time for them to work it out, and ultimately Hewitt has put a lot of work into Bernie over the past 1-2 years, so he won't want that all to go to waste There's also the possibility that Kyrgios does something stupid and Tomic comes in for him. As you say though, most likely it will be the same squad.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Tomic won't be selected after his blowout with Hewitt over the weekend of Davis Cup. It'll be the same team.
Justin Ahrns
Roar Guru
Just last week Aidan. He cited scheduling reasons for his absence, but common thought is that it is because of his dad's feud with tennis Australia over funding for Sara Tomic.
Aidan
Guest
> But having skipped Davis Cup on multiple occasions now, should he be an instant selection if available? When was the last time Tomic 'skipped Davis Cup'?
Justin Ahrns
Roar Pro
Absolutely agree. No need to break up a winning team, unless Kyrgios does something to warrant being left out. Would love to see Duckworth and Millman there as hitting partners if healthy. If not De Minaur and Whittington definitely deserve to be there
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Thompson has been a joy to watch over the last couple of weeks. I think Australia should stick with the same team: Thompson, Kyrgios, Groth and Peers with either Andrew Whittington or Alex De Minaur as a reserve.