McEnroe to Play in Davis Cup

N E W   Y O R K, July 12 -- With Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras injured, U.S.Davis Cup captain John McEnroe knew which player to turn to for theteam’s semifinal against Spain: himself.

McEnroe’s name was among the four he announced today for thebest-of-five series at Santander, Spain, July 21-23. The41-year-old U.S. captain said he’d limit himself to doubles, “noquestion. You can bet your life savings.”

Agassi strained his back in a minor car accident this weekend,while Sampras was hobbled by a shin injured while winningWimbledon.

“We’ve lost two of the best players that ever played. Thiscertainly has not turned out the way I had it planned out in mymind,” McEnroe said, putting his team’s chances of beating Spainat 10 percent to 20 percent.

Agassi and Sampras are ranked third and fourth in the ATPChampions race.

Todd Martin, Jan-Michael Gambill and Chris Woodruff fill out theU.S. roster. None of them are in the top 25.

McEnroe Researches Options

McEnroe can substitute any of his four players up to 10 minutesbefore the July 20 draw for the semifinal, which will be played onslow, red clay. And the captain said he will talk to other players,chiefly Paul Goldstein and Vince Spadea (who ended an ATPTour-record 21-match losing streak by winning in the first round atWimbledon).

“I haven’t actually decided to compete at the moment. I’ve beenlooking at calling another couple players I haven’t been able toreach,” McEnroe said. “These pullouts came very recently. This isa stopgap solution at the moment.

“There’s a chance I won’t play. There’s also a chance I will.”

Agassi, Sampras Out

Agassi was injured Sunday riding from the airport to his LasVegas home, the U.S. Tennis Association said, and he can’t raisehis right arm above his shoulder.

“This condition is terribly disappointing to me as my teammatesand I have all worked very hard together to represent our countryin the Davis Cup competition,” Agassi said in a statement.