A COMBINATION of poor Davis Cup scheduling and unfair public expectations was taking its toll on Australia's top players, according to former star Peter McNamara.
McNamara, who coaches Australia's world No.11 Mark Philippoussis, said exempting the finalists from the following year's opening tie should be the first step in a much-needed revamp of the Davis Cup.
He said stars such as Philippoussis and Patrick Rafter, who was forced to withdraw from his singles clash during the final against Spain in Barcelona this month due to cramps, sustained from burnout if they played every tie and supporter backlash if they made themselves unavailable.
"Davis Cup needs a revamp anyway. I mean, these two teams that played in Barcelona in December play again in February," he said.
"That to me is fairly ridiculous. At least give the winner a bye or something of that nature.
"You can't expect guys to keep coming up, especially with the schedules the way they are.
"They've all got to play the super nines where you travel half way around the world to play in Brazil one week and then Amsterdam the next. It's very difficult."
McNamara slammed the Australian public's attitude towards his young charge, saying Philippoussis should not be punished for missing Davis Cup ties.
Rather, he should be remembered for his outstanding efforts in winning both singles rubbers in the final against France in Nice last year, McNamara said.
"I get really upset with some of the reporters that are pro other players for whatever reason and really are negative towards him," he said.
"They forget the things that he's done. He did win the Davis Cup last year. No-one ever mentions that.
"They only mention that he didn't play in Mildura or something. I mean, who cares. I didn't play somewhere.
"I think for his sake, and for Australia's sake, that he does the best he can and I have no doubt he will prove a lot of people wrong in 2001."
He said Rafter, who has been one of Australia's favourite sporting sons throughout his career, was also feeling the effects of his commitment to Davis Cup.
"Patrick will hurt from Barcelona because he gave it everything," he said.
"He went down there three weeks early and he gave it everything he could, which is typical of Patrick and I admire him for that.
"But you do pay a price. It happened to all of us when we played Davis Cup. There is a price.
"It happened to Mark when he played last year. You're not as fresh after Davis Cup as you think you are."
He said the Scud had been approaching peak fitness before undergoing surgery for a cartilage injury in Melbourne yesterday and looked determined to make 2001 his best season on the circuit.
"If he's strong enough mentally, and wants it bad enough, then by the end of 2001 I have no doubts he will be in the top five," he said.
"Mark sometimes needs to be pushed, but in the last month or so he's a done a lot of stuff himself without me which has been pretty impressive for the kid.
"I am very proud of him for the way he's gone about his physical training."