Davis Cup captain Leon Smith expects Jacob Fearnley to be back in competitive tennis action “within a few weeks” after being forced to pull out of Great Britain’s recent clash with Poland at short notice suffering from a rib injury.
Speaking exclusively to The Edinburgh Reporter at the opening of 16 refurbished local authority courts in the Meadows, Edinburgh, today Smith, who officially cut the ribbon, said: “Jacob has come through the ranks incredibly quickly to stand around No 60 in the world and it was inevitable his body would need a bit of adjustment.
“The rib injury is nothing too serious; he’ll be back competing soon probably at a few tournaments in Asia followed by the indoor European circuit.
“That is where I expect Jacob to excel; he is brilliant indoors.
“Another thing he is having to adjust to is the mental side of things.
“He is learning to believe in himself more and more.
“There is no reason why he can’t keep climbing having already beaten some big names including Nick Kyrgios in the Australian Open and (three times grand slam champion) Stan Wawrinka in Paris.
“These are big names and with a good build up to the Australian Open Open in January I expect him to do well.”
Names don’t come any bigger just now in tennis than Carlos Alcaraz and Jacob Sinner and Fearnley, brought up in Edinburgh but a product of the US College system, defeated both as a junior.
“I don’t suppose knowing you have beaten both of them in the back of your mind does any harm” says Smith, a Glaswegian but long term resident of Edinburgh.
It has been well documented that Fearnley has been committing more double faults than is good for him but Smith played down suggestions that a rib problem was a key factor in less than consistent serving or that travelling to Poland enabled team medics to get to the heart of any residual problem.
“There did seem to be a bit of an issue with Jacob’s serving at the US Open – but it is nothing to really worry about” said Smith stressing that it was more a case that his compatriot needed time to come to terms with his meteoric rise to prominence having been outside the world’s top 500 midway through last year.
Undoubtedly that rise has been fuelled by his four year stint at Texas Christian University where he studied kinesiology after leaving the Merchiston Castle Tennis Academy at Colinton.
“Part of the reason British tennis is producing more quality players comes down to the support now being given by the LTA to those looking to make their way in the game after leaving college in the US” said Smith.
“Take the Davis Cup squad that defeated Poland (to qualify for a crack at winning next year’s tournament).
“They have all been through the US College system.”
Indeed, both Cam Norrie and Jacob Fearnley were at Texas Christian University, Arthur Fery was at Stanford and doubles pair Julian Cash (Mississippi/Oklahoma) and Lloyd Glasspool (Texas) were all products of high intensity programmes.
Few have been more associated with the Davis Cup than Leon Smith, back on courts where he was part of a roadshow that displayed the trophy after Britain’s 2015 success in the final against Belgium.
It is 15 years since he was appointed and his enthusiasm for the role is almost tangible.
“What drives me? I think it is the way the team has freshened up a few times in my tenure.
“We have just introduced Arthur Fery but alongside him Cam Norrie is a stable presence.
“And there is Jacob coming through and the doubles combinations.
“Above all though I just find being involved in men’s tennis so interesting.”
Among the emergent players name-checked is Scots 18-year-old Charlie Robertson who is playing on the second tier Challenger tour having finished his junior career as world No 8 while there was also a mention for Edinburgh’s Matt Rankin who is at Oklahoma University making his way as a tour pro.
Both could hit the Davis Cup squad in the near future and it cannot be under-estimated just now much having someone like Leon Smith at the helm has given encouragement to young Scots that they will have their credentials noted when appropriate.
Meanwhile, the ceremony at the Meadows courts was also attended by Tennis Scotland CEO Blane Dodds as well as Alex Harkins, Tennis Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure.
Alex said: “The Meadows has always been a special place for tennis in Edinburgh and this refurbishment ensures it remains a top class facility for years to come.
“We’re proud to offer inclusive, accessible, tennis opportunities for everyone – from complete beginners to aspiring young athletes.”
