Group Bids for Davis Cup

The Anschutz Entertainment Group submitted a bid to the U.S. Tennis Assn. on Wednesday to play host to the Davis Cup quarterfinal matches between the United States and Sweden from April 9-11 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, officials said.

Sweden upset defending champion Australia in the opening round, and the United States beat Austria, 5-0, in the first round this month.

Barring injuries, the Americans would be led by U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick and twins Bob and Mike Bryan.

The Delray Beach (Fla.) Tennis Center has bid for the matches against Sweden, according to reports. A decision by the USTA should come within a week.

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U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe and U.S. Fed Cup captain Zina Garrison were named Olympic coaches for the upcoming Games in Athens, the USTA announced.

The teams will be announced at the end of June, with the rankings cutoff coming June 28, McEnroe said. Olympic tennis will be played Aug. 15-22, leaving a short break before the U.S. Open starts Aug. 30.

The compressed professional schedule means several top players are opting to miss the Olympics, namely No. 2-ranked Kim Clijsters of Belgium and former Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion Lleyton Hewitt of Australia.

It’s difficult to predict the makeup of the U.S. women’s Olympic team because of injuries and the extended absences of Serena and Venus Williams and Jennifer Capriati. The top men, with the exception of Andre Agassi, are all willing to play.

“[Agassi] has put in his time,” McEnroe said. “He’s won Olympic gold. I think he’ll miss it, but he’s making a larger decision. The rest of the players are extremely excited. They’re champing at the bit for the opportunity to play in the Olympics.”

Dan James of Roseville, Minn., was named coach for the U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair tennis team.

-- Lisa Dillman