Sampras Is Doubtful for Davis Cup Play

Pete Sampras probably won’t face Spain in the Davis Cup semifinals and the Wimbledon champion hasn’t spoken to U.S. captain John McEnroe about it.

“My status is questionable,” Sampras said Tuesday in New York. “I’ve got to talk to John. It’s highly unlikely that I’ll be able to play.”

Sampras said he needs to take care of the tendinitis in his left shin that hobbled him much of Wimbledon, where he won for a men’s record-tying seventh time Sunday.

He said a doctor in London told him to take two to three weeks off, which would rule out the July 21-23 semifinal at Santander, Spain.

McEnroe, who has questioned Sampras’ commitment to Davis Cup in his first year as captain, will announce today who’ll play against Spain.

“John and I have had our moments of miscommunication,” Sampras said. “If he’ll be straight with me, I’ll be straight with him.”

McEnroe was unavailable for comment.

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Golf

A week before chasing the one major he hasn’t won, the British Open, Tiger Woods warmed up by winning the JP McManus Pro-Am in Limerick, Ireland, by six strokes after near-faultless rounds of 64 and 68. . . . Justin Leonard and Davis Love III finished at 16 under par and teamed to win the $200,000 first prize at the medal play best-ball CVS Charity Classic in Barrington, R.I. . . . Clemson sophomore D.J. Trahan shot a tournament-low 69 to win medalist honors at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship at Portland, Ore. . . . The European tour’s executive committee unanimously confirmed its support for Mark James as Ryder Cup vice-captain, under pressure because of his controversial book in which he criticized players and his feud with Nick Faldo.

Hockey

The Mighty Ducks lost one assistant coach and hired another. Newell Brown, an assistant the last two seasons, resigned to become an assistant with the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets, the Ducks hiring Terry Simpson to replace him. They also hired Mike Babcock to coach minor league Cincinnati. Simpson has been a head coach for the New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and Winnipeg Jets. He was a Minnesota scout last season.

The New York Rangers are expected to present former Edmonton Oiler coach Ron Low as their new coach today in New York. He would replace the fired John Muckler.

Nick Beverley, former general manager of the Kings and coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, was named assistant general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks. Beverley, 53, was director of player personnel for the Maple Leafs last season.

Jurisprudence

Ayesha Rembert, a former player on UCLA’s women’s basketball team, faces up to three months in county jail, restitution payments, probation and counseling as a result of her no-contest plea recently on a December felony burglary charge. Sentencing is set for Aug. 18. . . . Sam Mack, released by the Golden State Warriors in March, was arrested in Phoenix, Ill., after officers said they found 19 bags of marijuana in his car.

Soccer

Soccer’s governing body ruled that National Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe, may not play host to international soccer for an indefinite period after 13 people were killed there Sunday in a stampede. . . . Italian champion Lazio completed the signing of Argentine international striker Hernan Crespo from Parma for a record $55 million, according to the club’s official Web site.

Names in the News

Graveside services for 1950s Downey High football star Randy Meadows will be held July 21 at 1:45 p.m. at Riverside National Cemetery. Meadows, 62, died of cancer Monday. . . . John Vitale, a former football All-American at Michigan and a three-year starter at center, died of cancer at age 34 in Grosse Pointe, Mich.