FLUSHING MEADOWN, N.Y. — Patrick McEnroe — the longest-tenured captain in U.S. Davis Cup history — will resign his post immediately following the World Group Playoff against Colombia in Bogota, Sept. 17-19.
Now in his 10th year as captain, McEnroe led the U.S. to its record 32nd Davis Cup title in 2007, its first title since 1995 — ending the longest drought in that nation’s history. He has compiled a 16-9 record thus far, and his 16 victories are second all-time in U.S. Davis Cup history behind Tom Gorman‘s 18 wins.
“It is with a heavy heart that I’m resigning as Davis Cup captain, but it is a decision I felt was best for the team and myself right now,” McEnroe said. “Davis Cup is a significant time commitment and this decision will allow me to focus more energy on my family and to the USTA Player Development program.”
“He leaves an indelible mark on the Davis Cup, and has always handled his captaincy with class and distinction,” said USTA President Lucy Garvin. “Patrick is and will remain a tremendous asset to U.S. tennis as he continues to lead our Player Development efforts.”
When the U.S. faces Colombia in the World Group Playoffs next week, the team will have a new look. No Andy Roddick, no James Blake and, most surprisingly, no Bryan Bros., who are all but an automatic point in doubles and have no aversion to clay. Instead, PMac will go with the singles-focused foursome of Mardy Fish, Sam Querrey, John Isner and Ryan Harrison. It’s the first time since 2005, and just the fifth time since the World Group was instituted in 1981, that the U.S. has had to compete in the playoff round. The U.S. is 3-1 in World Group Playoffs, having defeated Belgium on red clay in its last appearance.
“Player Development certainly is a huge reason for why I’m deciding that now is the right time to step aside,” said McEnroe. “We have a great core group of young players coming up. In fact, pretty much all the four players on the team for this tie against Bogota are directly getting support from us in the USTA and player development in some way, shape, or form. We feel very optimistic about that.”
The World Group Playoff against Belgium in 2005 was the first of 10 consecutive U.S. Davis Cup ties that featured the lineup of Roddick, Blake and the Bryan Bros., shattering the previous U.S. record for most consecutive ties with the same lineup.
“Representing the country has been an unbelievable source of pride,” said McEnroe. “From when the USTA first hired me with the team that was in place, then till now, it’s been just an amazing journey. There has been incredible support for me and for the team and I have been very appreciative of it. I’ll miss the team, the guys, but obviously I’ll still be around them with this job. There’s nothing like working out there with a group of guys that you love and respect. And having the National Anthem played, there’s nothing like that. There never will be anything like that for me again…It’s something I think about all the time. Even when I’m on TV, I’m on my BlackBerry and I’m thinking about it constantly. I just felt that it was a right time for me to step aside.”
If the USTA has a replacement in mind, they aren’t saying. So the speculation will now begin. Jim Courier has professed his love for Davis Cup, saying, “Davis Cup means the world to me. And at some point in my life I certainly hope to have that seat. I’m definitely interested in the job, so hopefully they’ll give me a call and we’ll chat about it.” Also on the short list would be Todd Martin (who’s no longer working with Novak Djokovic) and possibly Brad Gilbert. Realistically, neither Andre Agassi nor Pete Sampras would commit to such an undertaking.
