Chang Upset by Remarks of Agassi

The happy-family U.S. Davis Cup team announced Thursday night left at least one family member miffed.

Michael Chang on Friday responded to remarks made by Andre Agassi, who had questioned Chang’s contribution to the Cup effort.

Agassi spoke of Jim Courier’s devotion to Davis Cup and then added pointedly, “It is something that I’d like to see Michael Chang step up and start feeling.”

Chang said he didn’t want to feud with Agassi, but he clearly didn’t appreciate the comments. Chang last played in the Davis Cup in 1990 and was surprised to learn that the team had been determined.

Agassi said he and Pete Sampras had discussed the situation last Sunday and met here with Davis Cup captain Tom Gullikson. Chang said he learned of the selection of Agassi and Sampras to play Italy later this month only after Thursday night’s news conference.

“Obviously, something went on that I was not aware of,” Chang said. “It is a little bit tricky for me. At this time, I really don’t know where I fit in, if I fit in at all.”

He added that Gullikson asked him last week if he would be available for the match against Italy. Chang had said no.

Chang said he would like to see six players named to a pool early in the year so that Davis Cup matches could be more easily slotted into schedules.

He said he couldn’t account for the turnaround by both Sampras and Agassi, who only a few weeks ago had lambasted the Davis Cup scheduling and the U.S. Tennis Assn. for charging too much for match tickets. Neither player was on the team for the first round against France last month.

The about-face by Sampras and Agassi stunned many. A possible explanation: Tennis players wishing to participate in the 1996 Olympic Games at Atlanta must represent their country in international competition in the two years before the Games.

Sampras and Agassi need play only one Davis Cup match and they will be eligible for the Olympics.