Tom Gorman of the United States and Neale Fraser of Australia are under severe pressure in efforts to keep their jobs despite being two of the most successful Davis Cup captains.
Gorman has guided the United States to Davis Cup titles in two of the last three years, while Fraser has helped Australia win four times in 23 years. Their first-round match begins Friday in Kooyong.
An acrimonious campaign between Fraser and challenger John Alexander last year ended in a 5-5 vote by Tennis Australia.
John McEnroe has made it known that he would like the job Gorman has held for eight years. A United States loss in the first round would strengthen McEnroe’s case.
“Whatever decision is ultimately made about the captaincy, it will be someone else making it,” Gorman said Thursday. “We are all out there doing our job, and I can’t worry about it.”
Australia will be tough to beat on grass at historic Kooyong, particularly since left-hander Mark Woodforde is riding the hottest streak of his career and is ranked 21st in the world, an all-time high. He beat No. 1-ranked Jim Courier last week in the Lipton Championships.
David Wheaton and Brad Gilbert will play singles for the U.S. because Courier, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Michael Chang are unavailable.
