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Battle of the Brits Team Tennis: Andy Murray, Jamie Murray & Johanna Konta playing


Andy Murray practising at the National Tennis Centre
Andy Murray is working his way back to full fitness after dealing with pelvic and shin injuries over the past eight months
Venue: National Tennis Centre, Roehampton Dates: 27 July – 2 August
Coverage: Follow live streaming of two courts on the BBC Sport website, BBC Sport app and BBC iPlayer from 11:50 BST every day.

Andy Murray will only play doubles at this week’s Battle of the Brits Team Tennis event because he does not want to “take any risks” with his fitness.

Johanna Konta is also among Britain’s leading male and female players joining up to compete in the unique team event.

Two teams of 13 – selected by non-playing captains – will chase points in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

British men’s number one Dan Evans, organiser Jamie Murray and Heather Watson are also taking part in the event which is being held at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton from Monday.

Eight matches a day will be played over two outdoor courts, with a 10-point tie-break replacing a third set. Points will be awarded on an increasing scale as the week progresses.

Prize money will be awarded and donations will also be made to charity.

How can I follow it?

The BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer will have live streaming from two courts at the National Tennis Centre from 11:50 BST every day.

Three matches will be played on both Court A and Court B from 12:00, with two more matches from 17:00 on Court A.

Selected text and radio commentaries will also be on the BBC Sport website and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra over the week.

Who is playing and what is the format?

While three-time Grand Slam champion Murray and world number 14 Konta are the star names, there is a depth of talent taking part.

Evans, Watson and Katie Boulter join forces in the Union Jacks team as the leading singles players, with seven-time Grand Slam champion Jamie Murray and his younger brother Andy heading their doubles line-up.

Konta, who is a three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, is joined in the British Bulldogs team by former world 14 Kyle Edmund and British men’s number three Cameron Norrie.

Konta has not played since the Monterrey Open in March and was managing a knee injury before the WTA Tour was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I am looking forward to getting back into finding that routine of preparing for a match,” said the 29-year-old.

“The knee is getting better and better… it’s a long process. But it has been good.”

Each team will have two captains – Judy Murray and Greg Rusedski take charge of the Union Jacks, with Leon Smith and Anne Keothavong leading the British Bulldogs.

List of the players involved in the two teams at the Battle of the Brits Team Tennis event

The exact format has not yet been confirmed, but there will be singles, doubles and mixed doubles matches every day.

The first team to accumulate 60 points will be the winner. Matches will be worth more points on the final day.

Jamie Murray says he has some ideas to help create a good atmosphere in the absence of spectators.

“We’ve got team benches on each of the two match courts. The idea is to pack those out as best we can and get a lot of interaction between the players who are competing and those who are supporting,” said Murray, who organised an inaugural Battle of the Brits event for the leading men last month.

“The captain element should make it good fun as well.”

Order of play

To be confirmed.

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Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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