THE Emirates Arena was last night confirmed as the host venue for the Davis Cup World Group tie between Great Britain and the United States next year, a decision that will further enhance the Glasgow facility's back-catalogue of major sporting events.
The Emirates hosted the likes of judo and badminton during the summer's Commonwealth Games.
The decision also helps to establish Scotland on the sporting map, after the country hosted the Games and the Ryder Cup earlier this year. The US lost the latter competition at Gleneagles and will hope for a better outcome as they resume the oldest rivalry in the Davis Cup.
It is a duel which dates back to the genesis of the competition in 1900. However, The two nations last played each other on British soil in the 1999 World Group first round, with the US leading the head-to-head by 11-8.
A temporary tennis court is to be built at the Emirates with space for a 7100-capacity crowd. The teams to take part in the tie will not be named until 10 days before the match is scheduled to take place - between March 6 and 8 - but it was confirmed last night that Andy Murray is in line to play.
"I'm really excited about coming to Glasgow to play in a World Group tie," said the Scot, ranked No.6 in the world. "It's going to be a huge week for our team and I'm looking forward to be able to play in front a home crowd. I did play Davis Cup in Glasgow [at Braehead] a few years ago where we received incredible support, but this is a World Group tie so it's a massive deal and we'll be doing everything we can to get the win."
This is Great Britain's second straight year in the World Group after the team maintained their position within the world's elite by reaching the quarter-finals earlier this year. They upset the US in San Diego with a 3-1 victory in the first round and will hope to replicate that performance on home soil.
"We've had absolutely brilliant experiences of playing in Glasgow during recent ties and the crowd always creates an unbelievable atmosphere," said Leon Smith, captain of the GB Davis Cup team. "It's going to be a huge deal with Andy heading back to play in Scotland for the first time since he won Wimbledon last year. It will no doubt be an emotional experience for all of us, just like it was when Andy came back to Glasgow and played against Luxembourg in 2011.
"You could see how much the crowd were desperate to see him play and we're delighted to now be in a position to bring a World Group tie to a city that has given us so much support over the years."
Britain's victory in San Diego was punctuated by with a dramatic five-set win for James Ward. The British No.2 is excited for the chance to savour further success in Scotland.
"It's great news that we've got a World Group tie at home," he said. "Our two ties in 2014 have both been away and I know the whole team is really excited to be going back to Glasgow. We've always had great support there when we've played and we're hoping that, given this is one of the biggest ties we've played in our country in many years, that the crowds will come out in force."
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