U.S. Loses Sampras, Martin for Davis Cup Match in Zimbabwe

The U.S. Davis Cup team suffered a double jolt Friday with the announcement that both Pete Sampras and Todd Martin will be unable to compete next weekend in a first-round match in Zimbabwe.

Sampras said that he had a partial tear of his right hip muscle, suffered, he said, early in his five-set loss to Andre Agassi Thursday night in the Australian Open semifinals. He said he will not be able to play for three or four weeks.

Martin, who was slated to play doubles with Alex O’Brien, has had continuing fatigue problems and after playing two five-set matches here last week, headed back to the United States, saying that he would have some tests done. While the specifics of those tests have not been released, Tom Ross, Martin’s agent, confirmed late Thursday that Martin would not go to Africa.

Sampras said he injured the hip “during a long point where I did a lot of running” early in the match, and that it stiffened up on him overnight.

“I knew something was going to show up [in the MRI test] when I got up this morning,” he said.

He also hastened to add that he did not want this injury to be seen in any way as an excuse for losing to Agassi, who now becomes a lone anchor in new captain John McEnroe’s first Davis Cup match.

“He played a great match and will probably win here,” Sampras said.

Sampras was asked about the reaction to the news from the volatile McEnroe. “He was at dinner and it probably wasn’t the best news he heard,” Sampras said. “I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.”

When asked if he had beaten Agassi, would he have had to default out of the final here, Sampras ducked the question, saying, “Well, it’s hypothetical. I’m struggling to walk normally at the moment. We have one guy in the final and it’s not me, obviously.”

McEnroe has made no announcement as to replacements for Sampras and Martin. After Agassi (No. 1), Sampras (3) and Martin (9), the top U.S players in the singles rankings are Vince Spadea (No. 21 entering the Australian Open), Jim Courier (36), Chris Woodruff (56), Jan-Michael Gambill (57) and Jeff Tarango (65). In the doubles, Jared Palmer is tops at No. 9, followed by O’Brien (11), Rick Leach (No. 14 now and likely higher after making the final here) and Tarango (18).