Jeremy Bates Quotations

Serbia are a world-class team but in Davis Cup tennis the crowd are such an important factor.

One thing that stands out is that the better shot I hit, the better shot he hit. I was playing serve and volley, and he had incredible passing shots from the most ridiculous positions.

I lost everything I had. Everything's gone. That's all I know. From the looks of it, what I can see, there's nothing left.

I feel they (the Swiss) did not expect what they have seen and it puts a bit of pressure on Wawrinka to perform first.

He is an outstanding player, and some of the shots he retrieved were super- human. We need to get the message of reality across of what is needed at this level.

He is not the type of person who will shy away from any pressure situation, which he has already proved in Davis Cup, in Wimbledon and finals of tournaments already in the last year. He's desperate to play in front of his Scottish fans.

Having said that, I think that in any Davis Cup tie you look to where your most likely points will come from and where your tougher opposition will be. It's a bit like being a football manager. I have to look to where our best chances are and pick my team around it.

He's gone from no stage to centre stage in a very short period of time,

It is a fantastic effort by Andy, and not only has he shown the class to be able to do it but the ability to stay there as well,

I was disappointed with the crowd. I thought they were a bit docile.

I will leave the decision to him. We are doing everything we can so he will be involved in Glasgow.

Playing Roger is a very tough match and realistically we are looking at winning the doubles and the two singles against their No.2,

I thought it was a good doubles. Obviously it was very tight and the third set was crucial. After that they got a bit of momentum going into the fourth set but I can't fault the effort or the performance from Greg and Andy. I don't think you can criticize the guys when they give that much.

We have to remember he's only 18 and far from his peak. There's a lot of high hopes for his peak and one day I hope we will see him beating Federer.

You look at the quality of teams we have been playing against recently and it is not going to get any easier. You used to be able to look at the 16 teams in the World Group and after that you might get two or three good draws but that does not exist any more. But I think in Greg Rusedski and Andy Murray we have got the perfect blend.

The decision about my team has been made, as I don't believe in leaving things to the last minute,

We clearly need to get some more younger players in to take some of the strain off Greg.

This will be a tough tie, but one that we are more than capable of getting a result from. We have a chance of playing in the World Group next year and I know the players are determined to give everything they have to try and make that a reality.

This tie presents a wonderful opportunity for us to play against truly world-class opposition and the world's best player Roger Federer. This will be a tough tie, but one that we are more than capable of getting a result from. We have a chance of playing in the World Group next year and I know the players are determined to give everything they have to try and make that a reality.

Andy is playing at a different level and his quality of play is well above his ranking of 110,

Andy can inspire other players coming through the ranks as he is about their age,

Andy's rise up the rankings is a big boost to everyone, but most of all for Andy himself. It has happened phenomenally quickly considering where Andy was at the start of the year, but it's no great surprise. The signs were always there that Andy would become a top-class player. He is not going to rest now. He will keep going for it.

Federer is rightly one of the biggest sportsman in Switzerland and his win at the US Open will heighten the home interest in the tie, ... It's fantastic to be playing against him in his own country.

The whole tie this time around with the team I have got has got more options than I have ever had,

This is not an un-winnable tie. We are up there with a fantastic group of countries. The Davis Cup is so strong. This is where we are playing, you can't ask for anything more than that. There is no good draw, every match is an absolute battle.

It's a big boost to everyone but most of all for Andy himself,

It is terrific to see another British player in the top 100,

It puts a bit of pressure on Wawrinka to perform first.

Switzerland will base their decision in doubles on the situation after the first day of singles,

I've had plenty of chats with Tim about the Davis Cup and he has stated his feelings on it and I respect that.

It used to be with Tim and Greg in the side that we were virtually forced to name the same two players for all three days' play. That was something I always wanted to get away from though, and now with this team it's pleasant that I can make more tactical choices.

I'm not sure where they're coming from with that choice of surface. I've heard all sorts of things, one of them, which may be a bit far-fetched, is that they've chosen it because they're not sure Federer is going to play.

If you put someone else in to play Federer what would that do to the individual if you had Alan playing or if you had Dave playing. The permutations are endless and, as of yet, I have not made up my mind.

I remember it was a stinking hot day and not knowing who he was,

It has happened phenomenally quickly considering where Andy was at the start of the year, but it is really no great surprise. The signs were always there that Andy would become a top-class player and he is not going to rest now - he has tremendous drive and fortitude and he will keep going for it.

He's an inspiration to the other players trying to follow in Andy's footsteps,

I feel 10 times better than then. To expect three days out of Andy was obviously too much.

I don't think the Swiss will have been expecting (that),

I don't believe in giving up on anything,

I do not need to see Slovakia in (this year's) final to know the opportunity is out there,

I believe in meticulous planning and I know who will be starting the matches. Indeed, my opinion hasn't changed on the matter since the US Open earlier this month.