Lleyton Hewitt says pressure is on Andy Murray in Davis Cup

Murray and company are in Glasgow preparing for the start of the Davis Cup tie on Friday, but they took their minds off that crunch clash when they travelled to Celtic Park for a team-bonding exercise.

The battleground as Britain chase a first Cup final appearance since 1978 is the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, as close as Murray will ever likely come to hosting such a crucial tie in his own back yard.

“If we end up playing because Andy doesn’t want to play on Saturday, then I think we’re both in good form”, he said. I think there’s pressure on everybody.

“Grothy and I teamed very well under massive pressure and got it done in July (against Kazakhstan) so we are going to be ready for the battle all weekend”, he said.

Andy’s last on-court appearance was at the US Open where he was surprisingly knocked out by South African Kevin Anderson in the fourth round.

He added: “It’s not about one individual”. Edmund will undergo a scan on his ankle after reportedly suffering an injury during training for this weekend’s Davis Cup semifinal showdown against Australia.

“I wanted to spend some time with my family while I was here and that gave me the chance to drive up and see them (on Tuesday), which was nice”.

Australia’s cause has not been helped by volatile talent Nick Kyrgios being left out after a spate of disciplinary problems, yet they still boast a line-up consisting of world number 23 Bernard Tomic, Thanasi Kokkinakis, big-serving Sam Groth and former world number one Lleyton Hewitt who is bidding for a golden finale to a career that will end in January.

“Everyone, I’m expecting, is going to perform well”.

“I think I would take Andy Murray just for the shirt sales alone”, he said.

The slower indoor hardcourt surface will aid Kokkinakis’ chances against Murray, his good friend and regular practice partner.

He will compete alongside brother Jamie Murray, James Ward, Dom Inglot and Kyle Edmund to try and lead Britain to their first World Group final since 1978.

“It’s extremely demanding on Murray because all the pressure is on him to win those three matches, and at least two guaranteed”.

“We are slight favourites but the Aussies are going to be a rough team to beat”, said Rusedski, a pundit for British Eurosport.

While Britain claimed the last of their nine titles in 1936, Belgium have never won the team competition and will also approach their home semi-final against Argentina in Brussels with opportunity knocking loudly on the door.