Davis Cup joke could be on Britain

By here he means the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, where Britain's first-round Davis Cup match against Sweden gets under way tomorrow.

Bjorkman - friendly and helpful - was sprawled in a seat at courtside after practice, having exchanged banter with Greg Rusedski.

"We're friends, yes,'' confirmed Bjorkman, 29. "Tim and Greg are good guys.''

Unfortunately both players have a losing record against Bjorkman.

Furthermore, the British team's biggest problem is that as usual it effectively comprises Tim 'n' Greg.

By contrast the Swedes - who have won the Davis Cup seven times over-all and made the semi-finals 16 times in the last two decades - are knee-deep in talent.

Thomas Johansson's victory at the Australian Open (he beat Bjorkman in the quarter-finals) means that all four members of their squad have been ranked in the world top 10.

It won't even help much if Johansson is ruled out as a result of the old groin injury which recurred this week, because Henman has beaten him every time they have played.

"It definitely helps to have a good head-to-head record,'' agreed Bjorkman. "But it will be harder for us to play in England where your team normally manage to play very well under pressure.

"We're only just favourites going into the match. It wouldn't be a disaster if we lost.

"We're playing a great team. Both your guys are in the top 10 at the moment. Our strength is that we have so much depth. If something goes wrong for you then you will suffer big time.''

Yet Sweden's success has come at a peculiar price. By contrast with the mad domestic expectation surrounding Henman's challenge at the Australian Open, the Swedish media all but ignored the tournament. Not one journalist attended.

Swedes are largely more interested in the English Premiership - Bjorkman, like Stefan Edberg, is a Leeds United supporter - than tennis, even now that they boast a new Grand Slam winner.

"It's a big contrast,'' nodded Bjorkman. "The success of Bjorn Borg, Mats Wilander and Edberg spoiled the Swedish people.

"Now if we don't make at least the semis of the Davis Cup and either semis or finals in the Slam events, they are disappointed.

"For you, it is different. You've been waiting a long time to get good British guys and now you have Tim.

"You have Greg too but Tim is the one everyone is hoping can really do something big.

"Greg has the potential to do it, but I've got to say I believe more in Tim. Not just at Wimbledon. He has the game to win the US or the Australian Open.''

Meantime, Bjorkman is looking forward to meeting one particular VIP over the weekend.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has accepted an invitation to attend, most likely tomorrow, although as Aston Villa play Chelsea just up the road on Saturday he could combine that day's doubles rubber with football duties if he chose.

"Ah yes, Sven will be here and Tord Grip (his assistant) too,'' confirmed Bjorkman. "I've heard Sven is a big tennis fan. I tried to meet him when he was coaching Lazio when I was in Rome for the Italian Open, but I never managed it.

"He can head the Swedish cheerleading here. I expect he will have his face painted with the Swedish flag.''

Perhaps Bjorkman will do an impression of the great man. But his most popular impression by far would be a point-by-point re-enactment of Henman's defeat at the Australian Open . . . with Bjorkman in the Henman role, that is.