Andy Murray: We can't let the terrorists win

ByNic Atkin ESPN logo
Tuesday, November 17, 2015

LONDON -- Andy Murray is not worried about playing the Davis Cup final in Belgium following Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris.

Great Britain will travel to Ghent next week for their first final since 1978, despite security measures being raised to an unprecedented level in the city, which is just a three-hour drive from Paris.

Belgian police have made several arrests in the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek, just 35 miles from the Flanders Expo Arena where the match will be played, in relation to investigations into the Paris attacks.

The International Tennis Federation has announced that security will also be heightenedat the venue, but Murray says both teams must not give in to fear.

"Everybody right now is concerned about things," Murray, who beat David Ferrerin his World Tour Finals opener on Monday, said in his postmatch news conference.

"But I do think the best thing that we can do is to live our normal lives, not change too much, because then the terrorists are the ones that are winning.

"We need to go out there and do what we always do and try not to change too much. That's all we can do.

"I don't want to live my life in fear each time I step on a tennis court. So that's what I'll do."

Murray also expressed his frustration at the delays Great Britain have faced in finding out whether Aljaz Bedene will be eligible to feature against Belgium.

The Slovenian-born British No. 2, who has lived in the United Kingdom since 2008, faces an ITF hearing in Prague on Tuesday.

Bedene saw his first appeal to become eligible for Leon Smith's team rejected in May even though he gained U.K. citizenship in March.

"My view is that the process has taken such a long time that it is awkward timing now. I think everyone thinks that," Murray said.

"If this decision was made seven months ago, we wouldn't even be having the discussion.

"That isn't his fault that it's taken such a long time. It's also not his fault that it's 10 days before the Davis Cup final. I'm not the one that makes the rules. If he wins his appeal and is able to play, then if I'm the captain, I'm picking my strongest team to try and win.

"But that's Leon's decision. That's what he's paid to do. I'm sure he'll make the right one and give us the best chance to win. But he [Bedene] may not win his appeal."