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Will Mauresmo be discounted for Davis Cup role?


 

Originally published on: 23/04/12 00:00

There are plenty of candidates for the position of France’s Davis Cup captain in succession to Guy Forget, but only one of the names being discussed by the French media can submit a cv which includes recent Grand Slam titles. It appears that the only reason why Amelie Mauresmo may not be offered the post is the fact that she is a woman.

Nicolas Escude, Cedric Pioline, Henri Leconte, Arnaud Clement, Sebastien Grosjean and Thierry Tulasne have emerged as the most likely successors to Forget, who stepped down earlier this month after 13 years as captain.

However, there have also been calls for 32-year-old Mauresmo to be considered. Since retiring three years ago, the former world No.1 has already worked with Michael Llodra, one of France’s most consistent Davis Cup players. The 2006 Wimbledon champion is now working as a consultant to Victoria Azarenka, the current world No.1.

Although Jean Gachassin, the president of the French federation, was quoted as saying it was “a little early” to consider Mauresmo, others believe she could be a good choice. Loic Courteau, who coached Mauresmo for more than six years, told the French newspaper “Le Parisien”: “She would do it if the players asked her to. She is not the one who will go and ask for it. Everyone knows she is ready, but she must feel a desire. She wants to give back. She could be a consultant to start with. Perhaps it would be doing her a disservice to parachute her in as captain immediately.”

Llodra revealed at last week’s Monte Carlo Masters 1000 tournament that the four members of France’s Davis Cup team for their last tie under Forget had had a meeting “and mentioned the same name for the Davis Cup captain”. However, he added: “I will give you no names.  You'll hear nothing from me.”

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.