Time for ace Ward to step up his game

Published: 4 March 2010
by STEVE BARNETT

FORMER Wimbledon winner Pat Cash has called on Camden’s James Ward to make his Davis Cup mark this weekend if he wants to break into the world’s top 50, writes David Jordan.
Ward is one of five Brits including Dan Evans, Jamie Baker and doubles specialists Colin Fleming and Ken Skupski set to travel to Vilnius for the opening Europe/Africa Zone Group Two clash.
The 23-year-old, who grew up in Euston, will make his Davis Cup debut against Lithuania thanks largely to British No1 Andy Murray relinquishing his role in the squad.
Ward is currently ranked 250th in the world and is the highest-placed Brit in the team. Cash is adamant a successful Davis Cup display will see that dramatically change, and send Ward shooting up the rankings.
“Lithuania isn’t a glamour tie by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a big step up from what James has been playing,” said Cash.
“He has to find some way of improving his game and putting in that little bit extra which will get him up the rankings. I think guys like James will find out a lot about themselves on the Davis Cup stage, not just about their technique but about their personality as well.
“He should set his sights on trying to break into the top 50, which would be huge for James and for British tennis.”
Ward will be tasked with leading Britain to their first Davis Cup win since Tim Henman’s retirement match against Croatia at the All England Club in 2007.
Captain John Lloyd has presided over four straight defeats since then and Cash has pleaded with Ward to stand up and be counted on his debut in Lithuania.
“Andy Murray isn’t playing so somebody will have to take the lead and be the talisman and the door is open for James to do it,” added Cash.
“You can’t win a Davis Cup with just one guy, no matter how good they are. But if you can assemble a squad of one world class player, two guys in the top 50 and a good doubles outfit then you have a real chance.
“James has got to step up at some stage and he has been handed the chance to do it, so why not now?”
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash is supporting the ­Barclays Ball Kids initiative, a national search to find 30 youngsters to be ball kids at the 2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November. For more info visit www.barclaysballkids.com