Newly-named Davis Cup French team captain Yannick Noah talks to journalists in Paris.

AFP/Paris

Newly-appointed France Davis Cup captain Yannick Noah has warned his players that they will have to toe the line if they want to be picked in future.
The 55-year-old former tennis player turned singer has been appointed France captain for a third time by the French Tennis Federation in place of Arnaud Clement, who was sacked last week.
And he told a press conference on Tuesday he intended to use a firm hand to steer France to a tenth Davis Cup title and first since 2001.
“Yes, you have to show leadership,” Noah told journalists at Roland Garros, where he won his only Grand Slam title in 1983.
“We need a well-defined structure. From the moment the structure is set, anyone who steps outside, is out,” he warned.
“There will be not one, not two, not three warnings. When we say things, we do things.  
“I have a clear plan. The players adhere.”
The last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, Noah captained the team to Davis Cup victory in 1991 and 1996.
The team were defeated by Great Britain in the quarter-finals this year and last lifted the trophy in 2001 having lost three finals—against Russia (2002), Serbia (2010) and Switzerland (2014). Clement had been in charge since 2013. Noah also captained the French Fed Cup team to victory, the first for the country, in 1997.
He said he had spoken to players including Gilles Simon, Richard Gasquet, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gaël Monfils.
“The unanimity of the players was essential to return (to the team),” continued Noah, adding that he was “excited” by the challenge.
“I want all the players to be involved. I want them to know how we’re going to function.
“I hope to refocus, rearrange some things. I firmly believe that I can do it. I’ve spoken with the players and I’m very confident.”
He continued: “I’ve not yet seen everyone. I’ll have the opportunity to see a maximum in Bercy in November (at the Paris Masters). We’re lucky to have a little time as the first round will take place in March.”

‘Should be fun, I think’
World number 10 Simon said he was “impatient” to work with Noah, who can bring “something new, different” to the team. “I see a lot of positive (in what Noah says). I’m interested in seeing how it works,” added Simon, 30, who was not born when Noah won the French Open. “We’ll see, it should be fun, I think.” Last week Simon criticised the lack of respect shown to Clement when he was sacked by the French tennis federation.

Murray warned over Davis Cup final plans
Andy Murray has been told he is “required” to compete in the ATP Tour Finals after the Scot discussed skipping the event to prepare for the Davis Cup final.
After helping Great Britain reach a first Davis Cup final in 37 years by beating Australia, Murray suggested he might miss the hard-court ATP Tour Finals to prepare for the Davis Cup showpiece, which is expected to be played on clay.
But although the Davis Cup final begins on November 27, just five days after the ATP Tour Finals conclude, ATP president Chris Kermode expects Murray to be present at London’s O2 Arena.
“The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals is a mandatory event on the ATP World Tour and all players who qualify, unless injured, are required to compete in the event,” Kermode said in comments quoted by several British newspapers on Tuesday.
“He has had a fantastic season and earned his place among the world’s top eight players to compete at the season finale. We are aware of the comments made after the Davis Cup tie in Glasgow, however our expectations are that, if fully fit, Andy would compete in this year’s tournament.
“Unless we hear otherwise via an official withdrawal, he is still entered to compete at the O2.”
Murray, 28, had told BBC Radio 5 live: “The O2 would obviously be a question mark for me if we were playing on the clay. I would go and train and prepare on the clay to get ready for the
final.
“For me to play—if I was to reach the final—five in a row and then take a couple of days off, it would mean only playing for two days on the clay before the Davis Cup final starts and that wouldn’t be enough for me.
“I need more time on the clay to let my back get used to it.”
Murray has a history of back problems and revealed after the semi-final win over Australia that he had struggled with a back injury during the tie.