By Tony Fairbairn
- Jacob Fearnley is ready to fulfil a ‘lifelong dream’ and represent Great Britain in the Davis Cup
- Great Britain take on Japan in Davis Cup qualifiers in a readjusted format for 2025
MIKI, JAPAN – Jacob Fearnley is ready to fulfil a ‘lifelong dream’ when he represents Great Britain as they take on Japan in Davis Cup qualifiers.
 |
|---|
It’s that time again as Great Britain are back in Davis Cup action as they take on Japan in qualifiers action.
The British team are away this weekend in Miki, where they will look to seal their place in the next round.
This year’s format has been readjusted for 2025 as the winners will move onto a second set of home and away ties, which is replacing the group stage format that has been held in the previous years.
The winners of the next set of home and away ties will then qualify for the final eight tournament which is set to be held in Italy at the end of the year.
Despite some criticism after last year’s Group Stage exit, Leon Smith is once again captain and is looking forward to another exciting Davis Cup tie.
“Firstly, we’re very happy to be here,” Smith told the LTA website.
“I think the venue is excellent. It’s quite unusual coming to somewhere that has an existing tennis centre to host. I think it’s made life easier because of practice and the match court all in one.”
However Smith has acknowledged it will be a difficult tie with Japan bringing Yoshihito Nishioka, Kei Nishikori, Yosuke Watanuki, Yasutaka Uchiyama and Takeru Yuzuki with them for the tie.
“I think it’s a very difficult tie. It’s obvious that we have two or three of our highest ranked players unavailable to play for us, which makes it more challenging,” Smith explained to the LTA website.
“With that, you have a Japan team which is very strong, with good depth. Certainly, having watched Kei (Nishikori) play in Australia, he’s started the year very, very strongly. So, it’s going to be a very tough match for us.
“I think what’s impressive about the Japanese team is their depth. That’s even with Taro Daniel not playing, they still have Nishikori, (Yoshihito) Nishioka, (Yosuke) Watanuki, (Yasutaka) Uchiyama coming in, and (Takeru) Yuzuki I think is a very talented doubles player with a good future.
“But the special thing about Davis Cup is things can happen, you know, even though we are missing our two highest ranked singles players and our highest ranked doubles player. We still have good players here that give us an opportunity to be successful.”
 |
|---|
Fearnley fulfils ‘lifelong dream’ to lead British team
The British team will start as slight underdogs for the tie as Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie are both absent from the tie.
Instead, Jacob Fearnley is leading the line for the Brits as he has been rewarded for his rise to the world’s top 100 with a place in the Davis Cup squad for the first time.
Speaking about the occasion Fearnley admitted it is a ‘lifelong dream’ to be representing Great Britain at Davis Cup level.
“I’m very happy. It’s a lifelong dream of mine to represent my country at the Davis Cup and it was just a really cool feeling to get that call,” Fearnley admitted to the LTA website.
“I didn’t expect to be the highest ranked player on my debut – it’s a bit strange. It’s incredible and it does give me a lot of confidence. It means some of the stuff I’ve been doing leading up to it has been working.
“It’s cool and it comes with a little bit of – not pressure – but I just want to enjoy being here and getting the privilege to play. That’s what means a lot to me, playing for GB, hopefully in front of a big crowd.
“I’ve still got a lot to learn but experiences like what I’m going to have here and at the Grand Slams is all going to help me build my confidence and expose me to playing in front of big crowds in big matches. All that really helps and gives me a lot of confidence. It was incredible (the Australian Open). I didn’t know what to expect but the crowds were off the hook. They were intense.
“Playing (Nick) Kyrgios on the John Cain Arena, that’s kind of his court, so that was a really cool experience. That court was a little bigger and I hope the fans were rowdier there than they will be here.
“To have been able to handle that, I can definitely use that to my advantage and manage those hostile crowds. I know what to do and hopefully what to expect in those moments.”
Fearnley will be joined by Billy Harris, Giles Hussey, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski for the tie.
The tie begins on Friday with Harris taking on Nishioka before Fearnley makes his debut against Nishikori.
On Saturday, Salisbury and Skupski will face Watanuki and Yuzuki before Fearnley takes on Nishioka and then if needed a deciding rubber between Harris and Nishikori.
The winners will face either Germany or Israel in September.
Davis Cup Draw
Friday 31st January
04:00 GMT: Harris v Nishioka
~05:30 GMT: Fearnley v Nishikori
Saturday 1st February
03:00 GMT: Salisbury/Skupski v Watanuki/Yuzuki
~04:30 GMT: Fearnley v Nishioka
~06:00 GMT: Harris v Nishikori
How to Watch/Follow Davis Cup Qualifiers 2025
| Live Stream | Tennis Channel International |
| Live Scores | Tennis Scores Powered By TNNSLIVE |
| Follow Britwatch - Sport in General, Brits in Particular! | |
|---|---|
| Soundcloud | |
| YouTube | |
| We may receive compensation for products purchased via affiliate links on this website | |