AFTER THE FALL : McEnroe Criticizes U.S. Effort in Davis Cup

John McEnroe, who reached the final of the U.S. Hardcourt in Indianapolis Saturday, is upset that the United States didn’t reach the final of the Davis Cup.

Because of a shoulder injury, McEnroe missed the U.S. semifinal match in Munich, where Boris Becker led a 3-2 West German victory.

McEnroe told ESPN that Michael Chang should have replaced him and also questioned Andre Agassi’s play.

Chang was asked to play but chose not to because of a lack of preparation. Agassi’s 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 loss to Carl-Uwe Steeb gave West Germany an insurmountable 3-1 lead.

“Where was Chang?,” McEnroe said. “Why wasn’t he there? I’m very surprised that he wasn’t there, and the effort that Agassi showed in the last match was very surprising. And I think that doesn’t help Davis Cup.”

Agassi had trailed Steeb, 5-0, in the fourth set.

McEnroe said it was painful to watch the Davis Cup on television.

“I felt like I could have made a difference,” he said. “I feel like one of my strengths is that I’m a team player . . . and that I can get the other guys up.

“You could see that was really missing. There were a lot of lost souls over there.”