John Lloyd has revealed he had tried, but failed, to persuade Greg Rusedski to postpone his retirement.

Rusedski announced his decision after partnering Jamie Murray to victory against Holland, giving Great Britain an unassailable 3-0 lead in their Euro/Africa Zone Group One tie in Birmingham.

That set up a September play-off which Britain must win to get back into the elite, 16-nation World Group for the first time since 2003, and captain Lloyd felt that would be motivation enough for Rusedski to delay calling it a day.

''I would have loved him to stay on through September,'' Lloyd said. ''When he said he was going to make an announcement at the end of the tie I was so confident if we won that he would wait until September I didn't speak to him about it.

''I just thought the lure of another Davis Cup tie, to possibly get back into the World Group, and possibly another home tie, would give him the incentive to play Queens and Wimbledon one last time and go out that sort of way.

''But looking back, not many players have the chance to retire at a time like that. To retire on a high like that, in a match where he was absolutely brilliant, is not a bad way to go really.''

The 33-year-old had played just one match in 2007 before this weekend, losing in the first round of a Challenger Event in Sarajevo, but Lloyd revealed he remained loyal to the Davis Cup cause.

''He was ready to play in singles if Andy Murray hadn't been fit and I would probably have put him in. He was fired up.

''At the least you could call him a great utility player, but he showed he is more than that. To have him in your team and know he can play doubles of that quality and still play some damn good tennis in singles if needed....it's not easy to get players like that and I would love to have him.''

Rusedski admitted he will find it hard to be simply a spectator when Britain are next in action, but he seems certain to remain involved in tennis, either through media work or in a coaching capacity.

''It's a little bit sad because in September the boys are going to have a good chance to get back into the World Group, but I just feel like my time is done and it's time for the young guys to step up and put themselves on the team and be the fourth man,'' Rusedski said.

''I wish Andy and Jamie were here about five years beforehand. This is the strongest team I've played with and the best team by far.

''I'd still like to be involved in tennis, giving back and working with the youngsters. I've got vast experience having got to a grand slam final, I know what it takes to become a player.

''Hopefully there will be a possibility of working with the youngsters. I'd like to try and give back as much as I possibly can.

''I'd love to still be part of the Davis Cup as well. If John needs me as a practice partner or waterboy or whatever I'm more than happy to be part of the team.''

Doubles partner Murray paid tribute to Rusedski after the pair beat Robin Haase and Rogier Wassen in Saturday's doubles rubber at the NEC.

The 21-year-old said: ''He's been at the forefront of British tennis since I started playing and the first time I ever went to the Davis Cup, he and Tim were playing in Birmingham against Sweden in 2002.

''It's come full circle and I got the chance to play with them and it was a great experience. Greg was a real pleasure to play with.''