Tennis: Lewis throws his hat into the Davis Cup ring

David Lewis has emerged as a possible candidate to take over as Davis Cup captain. As many as five applications were received for the position when applications closed on Friday, including incumbent Bruce Derlin, David Mustard, James Greenhalgh and Lewis.

Lewis, brother of Wimbledon finalist Chris Lewis and local coach Mark Lewis, has recently returned from Germany and is now working with top juniors but doesn't come with the baggage either of his brothers possess. Both Chris and Mark have been at loggerheads with many in the coaching fraternity in this country, including Derlin.

David Lewis achieved good success during his time in Germany and played a significant role in the development of Swiss Davis Cup No 2 Stanislas Wawrinka, who is ranked 58 in the world and reached the final of an ATP tournament in Gstaad in Switzerland this year.

New Zealand Tennis chief executive Don Turner refused to disclose who had applied for the positions of Davis Cup and Federation Cup captains but said they were happy with the standard and level of interest to assume the job for the next two years.

High performance director Paul Smith will make a recommendation to a selection panel made up of Turner and a member of the board and an appointment is expected to be made by the end of the month.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY