NEW YORK, SEPT 7: John McEnroe will be named to replace Tom Gullikson as captain of the United States Davis Cup team by the end of the week, television and newspaper reports today said.McEnroe set US records for matches and victories during a us-record 12 years as a Davis Cup player, including 59 wins in 69 overall matches and a 41-8 singles record.Asked about the truth of the reports, McEnroe, now a television commentator, replied, ``nobody has said anything to me,'' and added, ``I hope you're right.''Gullikson was sharply criticised for his role in a US quarter-final tie loss to Australia in July.Gullikson made comments about how Pete Sampras, who joined to play only doubles, might be a last-minute singles substitute despite Davis Cup rules for bidding such a ploy.The comments undermined the credibility of Todd Martin when he later suffered heat exhaustion and asked to be pulled in favour of Sampras. A doctor rejected the request and Martin, after receiving intravenous fluids for Pat Rafterfor five sets before losing the decisive match.Julie Levering, the US Tennis Association (USTA) president, said she has talked with Andre Agassi about players having more input in the captaincy selection, one of several issues that had Agassi vowing never again to play Davis Cup.Yesterday Agassi said he was considering playing after the USTA made changes and spoke with him about how the captaincy should be decided.
