We had a handful of questions and comments this week about the U.S. Davis Cup situation. So let’s start there. I was told the USTA is hoping to announce a decision soon, likely during the Indian Wells/Miami swing.
I don’t think anyone is naive about the Davis Cup’s place in the tennis (sports?) hierarchy, but maybe an American push is a way to reinvigorate the competition. And with 10 (!) players ranked within the top 50, this is an important hire, and the USTA needs to pick the right guy. Or guys. I’m told the search committee is open to the possibility of dual coaches, and the possibility of a package deal, whereby a coach and captain come in yoked together.
Who is in the running? Well, first, here is who’s not. Despite the pleading in some corners (i.e., this corner), it doesn’t sound like the USTA is prepared to go off the board and hire someone like Brian Billick (who knows his tennis and knows plenty about team-building). No chance of a player-coach (Rajeev Ram?). I have heard that, despite an executive making preliminary inquiries, there are no women in serious consideration.
I have heard that—even by tennis standards—the conflicts of interest of letting a commentator moonlight as a Davis Cup captain are untenable. There is always interest in Andy Roddick, but he told me he doesn’t have reciprocal interest, not with the Davis Cup in its current format.
There is always interest in the “Greatest Generation” from the 1990s, but neither Andre Agassi (Pickleball turncoat! Kidding!) nor Pete Sampras is interested. And Jim Courier did an excellent job but has already held the position. (Michael Chang has three young children but, if game, would be worthy of consideration.)
The USTA has bent over backward to consult with players, which is admirable but complicating. It’s easy to come up with the names of candidates who would be excellent in a vacuum, but are conflicted if they have to choose between their player and a player they don’t coach. James Blake is the name you hear most often, and he would be an unimpeachable choice.
If we are handicapping this, I’d put him first, along with Bob Bryan next and a former player of renown. There is likely a solution whereby roles are found for multiple candidates.