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Doubles star David Martin warmed up for his appearance at the XL Bermuda Open by training with America's Davis Cup team.

Martin said hitting with Andy Roddick, James Blake and the Bryan Brothers during America's clash with France had been the best experience of his career.

The journeyman pro, who crashed out of both the singles and doubles events here in the first round, was called on by the hugely successful U.S. team as a kind of 'sparring partner' for the France clash.

"The Bryan brothers wanted a left-handed hitting partner because they were going to be playing Michael Llodra (a French lefty). As it turned out he played singles too, so I hit with Roddick and Blake, to help them practice against a left-hander.

"It was one of the best things I've done in tennis. I learned a lot from those guys, just about how they prepare and things like that. I was on court with them before the main matches and I actually got quite emotional when the national anthems were playing."

Martin, from Oklahoma, started his tennis career at Stanford University, where he first teamed up with doubles partner Scott Lipsky.

The pair, who made the third round at their first Wimbledon appearance last year, arrived with high expectations, but were beaten in the first round on Tuesday.

One trip to Bermuda, two games, two defeats. That's been the story of the week for Martin.

But he says that's part of life as a tennis pro. You have to get used to losing.

"Unless you're Roger Federer you're going to lose virtually every week. Being able to handle defeat is something you have to learn quickly.

"You have to be able to bounce back and have a long term view of things rather than simply focusing on the match you just lost.

"I don't mean be happy with losing. Getting beat should always hurt."

Martin has had more success in doubles than singles, where he believes his lack of power and pace have hampered his progress against the big guns.[[In-content Ad]]

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