L.A. Could Be Place for Agassi’s Return

After Andre Agassi took himself out of this weekend’s Davis Cup semifinals because of injuries he suffered in a minor car accident July 9 in Las Vegas, it was thought he would also miss next week’s Mercedes-Benz Cup at the L.A. Tennis Center.

But it appears Agassi is healthy enough to return to competition.

Last year, the tournament featured Pete Sampras defeating Agassi in the final, but with Sampras out of this year’s tournament and Agassi’s attendance questionable, the tournament appeared to be losing star power.

Agassi had a Friday deadline to withdraw, but according to ATP communications manager Miki Singh, the Las Vegas native is scheduled to play.

“But who knows what will happen between now and then,” Singh said.

Agassi, who won the tournament in 1998, along with Gustavo Kuerten, Marcelo Rios, Michael Chang, Thomas Enqvist and Goran Ivanisevic, were among the marquee players scheduled to compete. But injuries are keeping many of the top names out of the tournament.

Kuerten, the French Open champion, was forced to withdraw because of a groin injury he suffered July 14 during a Davis Cup match in Australia against Patrick Rafter. Enqvist (shoulder) and Ivanisevic (knee) are also out.

Because many players are gearing for next month’s U.S. Open, the timing of the L.A. tournament created havoc with many players’ schedules.

Tournament director Bob Kramer is adjusting the schedule to accommodate players who were competing in U.S.-Spain Davis Cup semifinal.

“The compressed schedule contributed to some players not showing,” Kramer said, “but we’re pleased with the turnout. We have seven of the top 10 U.S. players coming, so obviously we’re very happy that Andre’s playing.

“There were a lot of questions about whether or not he’d play and we’ve been in contact with his representatives and they’ve requested tickets and hotel reservations, so we know he’s coming.”

If Agassi does withdraw, he still has to come to Los Angeles and be checked by a tournament doctor or risk a fine.

Dr. George Freed made the decision that Agassi should not play in the Davis Cup because of the rear-end car collision that, Agassi said, injured his back.

Freed said Agassi was experiencing muscle spasms in the right side of his spine and rib cage after the accident. The injuries prohibited Agassi from raising his right arm above his shoulder or being fully mobile with his back motions.

The Mercedes-Benz Cup, in its 74th year, features a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles competition. Agassi will be the top-seeded player and is scheduled to play Taylor Dent of Newport Beach in a first-round match. Mark Philippoussis is seeded second, followed Rios and Chang. Play begins on Monday.

Celebrities Dennis Miller and Dustin Hoffman, along with Chang, Rios and Philippoussis will headline the pro-celebrity doubles match at the tournaments’ “A Night At The Net,” charity event on Monday. The event, which Agassi dropped out of, benefits MusiCares, the charitable foundation of the Recording Academy.

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The Facts

* What: Mercedes-Benz Cup.

* Where: UCLA’s Los Angeles Tennis Center.

* When: Monday through July 30.

* Top-seeded players: Andre Agassi, Mark Philippoussis, Marcelo Rios, Michael Chang, Wayne Ferreira, Jan-Michael Gambill, Andrew Ilie and Arnaud Clement. Singles draw is 32 players. Doubles field has 16 teams.

* Tickets: All TicketMaster locations. To charge by phone, call (310) UCLA-101.

* Details: (310) 824-1010.