Andy Murray has been restored to Great Britain’s Davis Cup team for the group stage Finals against Australia, France and Switzerland in Manchester next month.
The three-time Grand Slam champion and Wimbledon winner was left out of the squad for their 3-1 win against Colombia in February and has been in and out of the set-up due to injury over recent years.
Murray, 36, helped Britain on their way to their first Davis Cup win in 79 years back in 2015 — the same year he won four different ATP titles — and despite going out in the second round of Wimbledon in July, he is still a huge addition to the squad set to play right here in Manchester next month.
Kicking off on 12 September, Team GB will compete against the other three teams in Group B to qualify for a place in the finals which will be played in Malaga in November.
Andy Murray rounds off Great Britain’s 2023 Davis Cup squad
British no.1 Cam Norrie leads the squad alongside Wimbledon-winning double specialist, Neal Skupski, world no. 28 Dan Evans and Murray as Britain hopes to lift their 11th Davis Cup.
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Although they were eliminated in the group stages last year, Team Captain Leon Smith has insisted that having Murray back in the squad should give a real boost to their chances.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said, “Having Andy in the team is great. He’s the senior statesman, the one who has been there and done it, but we’re also fortunate we’ve got Cam who is top 15 in the world, and who has been top 10 recently and reached the Wimbledon semi-finals last year.”
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“Dan has had a tough year but he won the Washington title recently – an ATP 500 event – that is the first time he has won at that level”, he continued, “and our fourth player is Neal who has just picked up the Wimbledon doubles title and is number one in the world.” Not a bad little lineup at all.
As for playing here in Manchester, Smith told the LTA: “It’s been a long time since we played in the North West and I’m sure we are going to feel and hear a lot of energy from the fans.” You know we’ll do our bit to put in a good performance, don’t worry about that mate.
If you fancy our chances of success in the 2023 Davis Cup, you can catch all the games from 12-17 September at the AO Arena in Manchester and, better yet, adult tickets start from just a tenner.
Alex Sanderson summons Rudyard Kipling as Sale Sharks scrape into the semi-finals
Danny Jones
Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson referenced the famous Rudyard Kipling after Sale Sharks managed to book their place in the playoffs of this year’s Gallagher Premiership following a nail-biter of a fixture against Exeter Chiefs.
The Sharks sealed their spot in the semi-finals with a 30-26 win over the Chiefs on Saturday night, with a trio of tries, a singular pen and calmness when it came to conversions proving just enough to make it to full time.
Speaking on the narrow score at Sandy Park, Sanderson himself applauded that same composure during his post-match duties, casually quoting Kipling ahead of the next big game.
Writing on social media after nerves had just about settled, the club simply said: “Apologies for raising the heart rate, Sharks Family… but Saturday we go again.”
Beginning with an expression of that same defiant spirit that has seen them across the line on so many occasions, the 45-year-old told TNT Sports, “We got another Monday in us.”
The Sale Sharks coach went on to add: “So if you can keep your head, when everybody else is losing theirs – I think that’s the old Rudyard Kipling poem – you’re in such a better place on the back of that, knowing what we can fix from the Leicester game and what we can do better from today.”
It’s not every day you hear sportsmen calling up the poetic words of the beloved British-India writer, but it certainly impressed plenty of supporters, though Sanderson has always been popular among fans for his candour and charisma in interviews.
Ultimately, it was Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie and George Ford that the Greater Manchester outfit had to thank for the electrifying finish
You can see how much it meant, clear as day…
Not done yet…
Thank you for your support Sharks Family, it’s truly appreciated!
Sale Sharks will now take on Leicester Tigers (who the local side finished just behind in third place following the result against the Chiefs) in the Premiership semis as they look to get revenge for previous painful meetings
Are you feeling hopeful, Sharks Family?
You can see the full highlights from Sale Sharks’ tense victory over the Exeter Chiefs down below.
Alex Sanderson channelled Rudyard Kipling and Sale scrapped like true Sharks.
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Danny Jones -
15th August 2023 
