Send an SOS to Canada. We need reinforcements

No word of a lie. Great Britain’s Davis Cup side is reportedly ready to beg 87-year-old Greg Rusedski out of retirement to save them. The Canadian-born big server - who is actually 35 - hung up his racket and sweat band almost two years ago. It is rumoured national pride for his adoptive country could tempt him back into action though.

Great Britain face a home-tie against Ukraine in March and defeat would see them demoted to the third-tier of Davis Cup tennis. Defeat to Austria at Wimbledon last weekend meant GB lost their place in the World group of the competition.

Now David Lloyd, brother of Great Britain captain John, is leading the calls for a Rusedski recall. “I talk to Greg all the time, I know how passionate he remains about the Davis Cup and what is happening to the British team and that he would do whatever he could to help,” Lloyd told The Times. “I haven’t run this idea past my brother yet but who is to say that Greg being in the squad wouldn’t be a great lift for everyone? He has kept himself in great shape, I’d give him a crack against any of those being considered for places.

“Let’s be honest, what happened against Austria was very disappointing. We can’t afford to lose this tie, otherwise we’ll be going back to where we were in the competition when I took over as captain in ‘95.That would be a disaster.”

Desperate times call for desperate measure, but surely this is a bit too desperate!