previous - next - Back to Articles - News main - Home source: daviscup.com McENROE DELAYS SELECTION AFTER NEW YORK HORROR New York City, Sep. 13 American Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe has been given leave not to confirm his team for the Qualifying Round tie against India next weekend following this week's horrific attacks on New York and Washington. The captain named six players - Andy Roddick, James Blake, Robby Ginepri, Todd Martin, Jared Palmer, and Donald Johnson - at the US Open last week, and in theory had to reduce it to four by Tuesday. But with the entire sports calendar in America in suspension, there is severe doubt about whether the USA v India tie can go ahead as scheduled, so McEnroe has had permission from the ITF to delay naming the four players who will look to secure America's 14th straight year in the World Group. McEnroe named something old and something new when announcing his squad for the tie at the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Roddick, Blake and Ginepri are all new while Martin and Palmer, both thirty or over, fall into the other end of the age spectrum. But Palmer's doubles partner Don Johnson is unique in this context. The former star of the University of North Carolina team, who will feel very at ease in his surroundings, is both old and new. Although he has never played Davis Cup before and is, therefore, very 'new', Johnson turned 33 on 9 September. Not since Francis Hunter in 1927 has a player made a Davis Cup debut for the United States at such a late age. "It is a remarkable story," said McEnroe, "It's a real tribute to him and what he's been able to do. When he first started on the tour, he was the guy that no one knew, scrappy guy, pretty good athlete. He's won with many different partners, especially over the past few years. He's a great team guy. He brings a lot of energy to the court. He's great for Jared. They work well together." The tall, bearded Johnson won the ATP World Doubles title in Bangalore last year in partnership with Piet Norval, which was just one of the recent success that prompted McEnroe to opt for Johnson and Palmer rather than the Bryan twins, Mike and Bob. McEnroe admitted there was a strong temptation to opt for more youth by going with the Bryans but, in the end, he went with "the better team." McEnroe also announced that Jim Courier would be travelling to North Carolina to act as coach for this tie. As one of the most committed and successful Davis Cup players of his generation, McEnroe expects the former world No 1 to bring "all his experience and leadership to the table." Jan-Michael Gambill was not considered because of his continuing problems with rotator cuff tendonitis. McEnroe insisted that any of six of the players he had chosen could end up playing and paid special tribute to the veteran Martin for agreeing to be a member of the squad even though he might end up on the bench. "He's the consummate team player," said McEnroe. "He's going to come down there, practise and prepare. A lot of young guys listen to him and take pointers from him, so whether he plays or not, he's a positive." Much of the attention will be focused on Roddick, who seems certain to play singles, and Blake, whose improving form has put him in line for a singles berth. McEnroe has long been resigned to the fact that Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi are not interested in continuing their Davis Cup careers and is keen to give the other guys the "opportunity to step up." Of the two relatively unknown players, Blake has been a practice partner for two US Davis Cup squads, but Ginepri, who is 18, only turned professional last year after getting to the finals of the US Open Junior Championships. He is currently ranked #311 in the world, but has risen over 900 spots since last year. |