Ireland's Davis Cup team set for crunch Peru clash

The Ireland team are playing Peru next month in a World Group I playoff game. A win would see Ireland secure a spot in World Group I, just below some of the top nations in tennis

PERU-BOUND: Ireland's number one Simon Carr in action. Pic: Tennis Ireland

Ireland's tennis heritage is hardly distinguished. A lack of investment, facilities, courts, even the poor weather have all combined to ensure Irish players haven't been performing at the upper echelons of the sport for a long period.

Conor Niland and Louk Sorenson qualified for the US Open main draw in 2011, both had to retire injured in their first round games, but no Irish player - male or female - has qualified for a Grand Slam tournament since.