McEnroe’s Wimbledon Warm-Up Will Be Davis Cup Match on Grass

Why did John McEnroe change his mind and decide to play in Davis Cup competition when the United States meets Spain in a second-round match June 14-16 on the grass at Newport, R.I.? According to team Captain Tom Gorman, there is a simple explanation.

“I think it was just his overriding love and respect for Davis Cup,” Gorman said.

McEnroe, who has played and won more matches in the Davis Cup than anyone, turned down Gorman’s request two weeks ago to play against Spain but reconsidered, even though it will affect his preparations for Wimbledon.

McEnroe pulled out of the Stella Artois tournament at Queen’s Club in London, a Wimbledon warm-up that runs the same week as the United States-Spain match. McEnroe, as well as other U.S. team members Brad Gilbert, Rick Leach and Jim Pugh, will have only one week between the Davis Cup and Wimbledon.

Because the United States-Spain match begins five days after the French Open and ends seven days before the start of Wimbledon, Gorman had a difficult time filling out his team. But the Casino in Newport, site of the match, is a grass-court site, which not only suits McEnroe but will help him get ready for Wimbledon.

“As far as I’m concerned, the idea of playing on grass was made with John McEnroe principally in mind,” Gorman said. “I told John I wanted him and I needed him.”

McEnroe is 39-8 in Davis Cup singles and led the United States to Cup titles in 1978, ‘79, ’81 and ’82. McEnroe has not played in Davis Cup since April 1989, when he won both his singles matches against France in San Diego.