Tags:
Journalism of Courage
NICE, DEC 6: Australian doubles star Mark Woodforde has almost certainly played his final Davis Cup match. Woodforde had vowed to quit Davis Cup play if Australia lifted the trophy for the first time in 13 years which they did by completing their victory over France in the final on Sunday.
The 34-year-old left-hander teamed with his longtime partner, Todd Woodbridge, to defeat Fabrice Santoro and Olivier Delaitre in four sets on Saturday to give Australia a 2-1 lead and then watched as Mark Philippoussis beat Cedric Pioline 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 for the first Aussie triumph since 1986. While Woodforde has played his last Davis Cup match, barring emergencies, he plans to still partner Woodbridge in a bid to win a second Olympic gold medal in Sydney next year.
Woodforde won 10 Grand Slam doubles titles in his career, including nine with Woodbridge and one with John McEnroe. Woodforde and Woodbridge have an amazing 14-2 Davis Cup record as a pair and are unbeaten since 1994 in Cup play. The red-headed Woodforde made his Davis debut in singles in 1988 but has a 4-10 record when playing on his own. He has been far more successful in doubles. He has won four singles titles on the ATP Tour including two in his hometown of Adelaide but 59 doubles titles in a career that has seen him earn almost US 8 million in prize money.
Australia8217;s first win since 1986 saw them lift the trophy for the 27th time a record bettered only by the US, who have won it 31 times. Philippoussis, who last year refused to play in the competition afterdisagreements with captain John Newcombe, was transformed from villain to hero after his second singles win of the tie. He was ice-cool under immense pressure as he over-powered Pioline in two hours and 42 minutes, slamming down 15 aces.
8220;It is the best match mark has played with his head in his life,8221; Newcombe said. 8220;He didn8217;t have any highs or lows in the match just highs.8221;Philippoussis8217;s squadmates stormed onto court at the end of the match, hoisting him onto their shoulders. They then lifted Newcombe and coach Tony Roche into the air as the 1,000 Australian fans in the stadium went wild.Pioline, in contrast, burst into tears at courtside before regaining his composure. 8220;It is a very sad moment for the French team,8221; said their captain Guy Forget.
The win gave Australia another team World Championship to add to their growing collection. They were already world champions at cricket, rugby union, rugby league, netball and women8217;s field hockey. Sebastien Grosjean salvaged some Gallic pride bybeating Lleyton Hewitt 6-4 6-2 6-4 in a lighthearted dead rubber.
