James Blake and Andy Roddick, via Life

View full size photo »

After years of totally inscrutable dedication to the cause, Andy Roddick and James Blake are both sitting out the United States' first Davis Cup tie of the 2010 season. 

The particulars of the match-up likely play no small part in their decisions, as an away tie in always-hostile Serbia on clay against Novak Djokovic is nobody's idea of a fun way to spend a weekend.

James Blake would not have deserved a singles spot on the team anyhow if I was the one making the criteria, but Roddick's loss is a big one.  He wouldn't have beaten Djokovic, but he could have definitely beaten a Tipsarevic or Troicki in the reverse singles.

Sam Querrey and John Isner will likely get the singles nods for the US, but given the surface I'd like to see Wayne Odesnik given the nod over Isner.