French Slam Court Conditions After Davis Cup Exit

Gilles Simon launched a scathing attack on the slippery condition of the Queen's Club courts after France crashed out of the Davis Cup against Great Britain on Sunday.

Simon suffered knee and ankle injuries after taking nasty falls in his 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-0 defeat against Andy Murray.

The loss condemned last year's runners-up to a quarter-final exit that world number 11 Simon blamed largely on the court.

"I've played 10 years on grass and this court is the most slippery court I ever felt," Simon said.

"I fell four or five times. I felt it from the warm-up. I had to pay attention on every shot.

"Andy had to fight also to stay on his legs and he was doing it better than me. I lost a few key points because of that."

Simon's France team-mate Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had also grumbled about the court after slipping several times during his singles defeat against Murray on Friday.

France captain Arnaud Clement said he wouldn't make an official complaint, but he supported Simon's criticism.

"I think everybody saw what happened this weekend. The court was very slippery and a bit dangerous. But it was the same for both teams," he said.

It was a painful end to the Davis Cup campaign for nine-time winners France, but Clement conceded Britain, inspired by three Murray victories, had deserved to advance to the last four for the first time since 1981.

"The British team were a little more solid. In a lot of sets this weekend just one or two points could change thing, but they deserved the win," Clement said.

"It was a great performance for Andy to play three days in a row and he still looked great at the end today.

"The Davis Cup means a lot in France, so this is a difficult moment.

"We have to think about this and try to be better next year. Something is missing."