Mr. Ed is... The Line Judge (November 25, 2000)
by Ed Zafian



During the 1999 US Open, a beaming Judy Levering, USTA President, announced John McEnroe as the new US Davis Cup Captain. It was a highly anticipated choice as McEnroe is US tennis "royalty" and a staunch supporter of Davis Cup. McEnroe hinted (and expected) that a new era for US Davis Cup was about to begin. This week's edition of "The Line Judge" examines some of the reasons behind McEnroe's unceremonious departure as US Davis Cup Captain just over one year later.


McEnroe-Related "Lines":

"Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, I was disappointed that I was unable to have a greater impact as captain of the team"
-- John McEnroe on his tenure as US Davis Cup captain

"John feels so passionate about Davis Cup and he is a perfectionist. He's disappointed with himself."
-- Judy Levering, USTA president, on McEnroe

"I am sorry that Mr. McEnroe found his experience as Captain unsatisfactory."
-- Francesco Ricci Bitti, ITF President, on McEnroe

"I don't know if he could truly been a coach?I don't know if Johnny Mac has ever been in a supportive position in a true sense."
-- US Fed Cup Captain, Billie Jean King, on McEnroe

Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras

Though McEnroe did not state the dynamic duo by name, their lack of participation this past year clearly played into his decision to resign. Initially, Agassi and Sampras were both supportive of McEnroe becoming Davis Cup Captain. However, McEnroe only needed to examine recent US Davis Cup history to realize that their participation would not be a sure thing. The now elder statesmen of US men's tennis have been plagued by injuries and an apparent "commitment" to a reduced schedule. Looking back, McEnroe's first Davis Cup tie in Zimbabwe was truly the beginning of the end. After an incredible one-year period Agassi reached four consecutive Grand Slam finals (winning three of them), his most recent demise began in Zimbabwe. Agassi had just won the Australian Open and hustled over to Africa for the competition. Though he won a key match, he became physically ill (in a trash can, if my memory serves me correctly) and his game has not been the same since. After a tough match versus Agassi in Melbourne, Sampras never made it to Zimbabwe. From the start, McEnroe alienated Sampras accusing him of faking an injury as an excuse to skip Davis Cup. Both players did return for to Davis Cup versus Czech Republic (in the friendly environs of Los Angeles), but both skipped a key match versus Spain citing injuries. The US lost handily to the Spanish team on their home clay turf.

The Schedule

McEnroe has been very critical of the Davis Cup format. Among McEnroe's suggestions were to set aside a month for Davis Cup play only and also staging it once every two years. McEnroe argued that the regular tour schedule did not allow ample opportunity for players to participate in Davis Cup up to four weeks during the year. ITF President, Francesco Ricci Bitti, fired back on these particular points stating "more than 95 percent of the top players in 2000 found time in their schedule to accept the honour of representing their country in Davis Cup. Only the two finalists make a four week commitment to the competition while most nations have only a two week commitment during any given year." Other national tennis associations have had their problems regarding Davis Cup (Germany and Australia seem to jump to mind), but as Ricci Bitti stated if only Americans seem to be having their problems it is not something wrong with the system but something awry within the country's program.

Personality

Ultimately, it was McEnroe's personality that was his undoing regarding Davis Cup. I have never been a huge fan of McEnroe, be it on the court or his ubiquitous television assignments. McEnroe always talks "big," but the adage "easier said than done" has some truth to it. I found Billie Jean King's assessment of McEnroe particularly accurate. In a egocentric sense, McEnroe felt his mere presence would be enough to revitalize US Davis Cup. King should have probably sat down with McEnroe prior to his taking the position. King, currently coaching a Williams-less Fed Cup tie in Las Vegas, assessed her role the following way: "You have to keep building relationships all year long. You have to listen and really accommodate the players. I'm on a tightrope every day with the players' emotions, the logistics, getting the towels, water." This analysis probably would have made McEnroe reconsider taking the position. McEnroe does not strike me as a "schmoozer" and anyone in a management-type position in the "real world" realizes that it is part of the job. Managing people, especially for a "perfectionist," is the hardest task of them all.

Despite the troubles this year, I honestly thought McEnroe would last in the position a little bit longer, if anything just on the pride factor alone. McEnroe did not like the rules of the game or how it was being played so he had a natural reaction -- snatched up his marbles off from the playground and huffed and puffed his way home.



You may read previous Mr. Ed columns by clicking here.

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