PERTH, Australia (AFP) - Australian Davis Cup coach Wally Masur accused modern players of being spoilt by the flawless grass-court surfaces of Wimbledon and Queen's Club as his team geared up for it's World Group playoff match with Morocco.
Masur said he had not yet seen the main court at Perth's Royal Kings Park club where the tie kicks off next Friday but he was prepared to accept it no matter what condition it was in.
The Australians traditionally favour grass surfaces, but the Perth centre-court is reportedly looking patchy.
"It is what it is. That's the nature of grass court tennis, it's a living, breathing surface and it doesn't always go quite according to plan," Masur said.
"I'm not going to be critical of the groundsman, he's done his best and our players will accept what it is.
"Players are spoilt these days because they go to Queen's (Club) and Wimbledon where they have about 300 million dollar budgets and they have the most outrageous courts - they're like billiard tables.
"In the good old days they were cow paddocks - so I say bring back the cow paddocks."
Masur said whatever state of the court - it would definitely favour the Australians who have impeccable credentials on the surface.
"We've a Wimbledon winner (Lleyton Hewitt) and Todd Woodbridge has won 10 Wimbledon doubles titles. Wayne (Arthurs) has played some of his best Davis Cup matches on grass," he said.
"That gives us the home court advantage but as I said, a grass court .. how it ends up playing on Friday ... it is what it is, you've just got to accept it and be professional."
The Australian team had a hit out on the outer courts Friday with US Open finalist and world number three Lleyton Hewitt set to join their ranks on Sunday.
Australia, the reigning Davis Cup Champions, are being forced to play in the playoff match after losing their first round clash with Sweden.
Morroco was dealt a major blow when their number one player Younes El Aynaoui was forced out with an ankle injury that also saw him pull out of his first-round US Open clash with Taylor Dent.
The home nation has similar problems, with former Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippousis also injured.
They have called untested 20-year-old Todd Reid into the squad, but he too has a question mark over him after twisting his ankle a week ago.
But Masur said 33-year-old veteran Wayne Arthurs was likely to get the second singles birth with Hewitt and could also team up with Woodbridge in the doubles.
Masur said the tie had been weakened by the loss of El Aynaoui but his leading singles replacement Hicham Arazi was a force to be reckoned with.
"I think Arazi is one of those extremely talented players. If he was another 10 kilos heavier and three inches taller he'd be top 10," he said.
"It's a shame that El An couldn't come in the sense that it detracts from the tie because he's a very popular player and a great player."