Great Britain must beat Poland in Gdynia over the next two days to stay alive in the Davis Cup 2025 race. Britain lost 3-2 in Japan earlier this year, so victory here is vital to remain among the elite nations. Defeat would force a February play-off and possible relegation to World Group 2.
World number seven Jack Draper is unavailable for the tie because of injury. But Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley will still hold a huge ranking advantage against their Polish opponents.
“It feels like a Premier League side being drawn away to a non-league team in the third round of the FA Cup,” one comparison summed up the mismatch.
Norrie and Fearnley Open Singles Campaign
World number 34 Cameron Norrie will face 19-year-old Tomasz Berkieta, ranked 545th, in Friday’s opening singles. Jacob Fearnley, ranked 54th, will then meet Olaf Pieczkowski, ranked 484th, in the second rubber.
Straightforward? “It doesn’t often work that way,” warned GB captain Leon Smith.
“If you look at tennis as a sport, I think more than football in a way, guys ranked 400 or 500, they are playing to a good level. We do go in as favourites, but you have to be very respectful of the opposition, which we are, and very professional, which we have been.”
Doubles Debut for Glasspool and Cash
The world’s number one doubles pair, Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash, will make their debut in Saturday’s doubles match. The tie will then continue with two reverse singles. Arthur Fery, aged 23, completes the GB squad.
Poland are without their top stars. Hubert Hurkacz, a Wimbledon 2021 semi-finalist, has knee problems, while Kamil Majchrzak retired injured from the US Open.
Draper Ends Season Early
Draper will miss the rest of the season due to bone bruising in his serving arm. He had to withdraw from the US Open earlier.
Captain Smith believes the 22-year-old made the right decision. “He was keen to come here and that was the plan, so it’s a shame that he’s not here,” Smith told BBC Sport. “But more importantly for him, I feel for him. The momentum that he had built in that first part of the year was exceptional and he’s had a few challenges before, but he will come after this. I think what they have done is the right call, to take this time out now and get this sorted, and work on other aspects. And I’m sure he will be back for the start of the season.”
Norrie Excited for Return to Davis Cup
A torn bicep and illness had prevented Norrie from playing Davis Cup since the 2023 quarter-final against Serbia. Now back in action, he stressed the unique nature of the competition.
“It’s always one of my favourite weeks, playing for your country,” Norrie said. “It’s such a great group of guys and girls – it’s just exactly what I want to be doing. A very different week to a week on the tour. It’s almost like another rest – it’s such a precious week. You could be resting, you could be practising, you could be playing another tournament. But for me I always want to try and prioritise that in my career.”
Format Challenges and Player Commitments
Captain Leon Smith admitted Davis Cup scheduling remains difficult. “I get the feeling that the players want to be part of this,” he said. “Our job this weekend is to try and keep in the top group so we can try and win it next year, but there are clearly more conversations that need to be had about the scheduling, to try and get those players that are going deep in the Slams. If you want them to play, asking them for a few days turnaround – sometimes to travel extremely far or change surfaces – that’s going to be difficult.”
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