Tennis: Greg and Hen told to move over now.

Byline: NEIL McLEMAN

TIM Henman and Greg Rusedski have been urged to step aside for a new generation of Davis Cup players.

Britain's 3-2 defeat by Austria in a world group qualifier at the weekend has left Jeremy Bates' team facing ties against minnows like Luxembourg and Zimbabwe in the Europe-Africa Zone next year.

By the time Britain can again play against the world powers in 2006, Henman will be 31 and injury-plagued Rusedski 32.

And former Davis Cup veteran Barry Cowan reckons 20-year-old Alex Bogdanovic, currently 193 in the world, must now get his chance after another miserable day for British tennis.

"If I had been the captain, I would have played Bogdanovic on the first day," said Cowan.

"Bogdanovic has had a good summer and qualified for the US Open and it is about time he really stepped up to the plate.

"Next year they should pitch him in because there are question marks over whether Henman and Rusedski should still play.

"Maybe Henman will wonder whether it is still worth playing these matches to prolong his career."

But Cowan reckons it is still too soon to throw Scots sensation Andrew Murray, the US Junior champion, into Davis Cup action.

"Andrew is only 17 and is not ready," he said of the player ranked 410 in the world. We have got to give him time to develop at the natural rate."

Henman and Rusedski played all five ties in two days at the weekend.

Rusedski, who has hinted he could retire at the end of next season, said: "We need the young kids to come through and help us."

It's a view shared by captain Bates, who insists there are grounds for optimism.

He said: "Alex and Andy are the future of the Great Britain Davis Cup team. Tim and Greg are not going to be playing for ever and it is now time for these guys to step up.

"Next year or the year after, these are the guys who are going to be playing the singles.

"Bogdanovic is inside 200 now and he has come a long way in the last 12 months - it is up to him now and whether he wants it.

"Andrew has showed fantastic skill and he has a lot of desire and fighting spirit."

Great Britain discover on Thursday against whom they will begin the long road back towards the game's elite. They are almost certain to be seeded which means a February bye and a return in July.

But even the outcome of a draw against one of the minnows would be in the balance without Henman and Rusedski to call upon.

CAPTION(S):

THE FUTURE: Bogdanovich