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Long trip Aussies hurry home for Davis Cup preps
Posted: Monday July 10, 2000 08:59 AM
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) -- Fatigue and injury fallout from Wimbledon will interrupt Australia's preparations for this weekend's Davis Cup semifinal and Brazilian captain Ricardo Acioly says his team is fresh and ready to pounce. Brazil, led by French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten, spent the weekend tuning up in Brisbane while the three current members of Australia's team and the coaching staff remained in England to contest finals at the annual grand slam event. To add to the scheduling woes, the defending champions were thrown into disarray Sunday when Mark Philippoussis, a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon, announced he was withdrawing from the Australian lineup due to injury. Tennis Australia on Monday said it would name a replacement within 24 hours. In the meantime, Wimbledon men's finalist Pat Rafter, mixed doubles finalist Lleyton Hewitt and veteran Mark Woodforde, who teamed with Todd Woodbridge to claim their sixth Wimbledon doubles crown, were flying back to Australia. The Aussies weren't expected to hit up before Wednesday, although match practice won't be a big issue. The draw will take place Thursday with the two singles matches scheduled to start Friday at ANZ Stadium in Brisbane. In the absence of Philippoussis, Rafter was expected to be rushed back into the singles and also partner Woodforde in the doubles. Hewitt will fill the other singles spot. The news of Philippoussis' late withdrawal didn't impress Rafter. "I just wish he'd come out and say something how he's feeling, just clear the air," Rafter said after losing a four-set decider to Pete Sampras. "I'd respect him a lot more for it than jerking us around, telling us he's going to play then not showing up to play." Philippoussis led Australia to the Davis Cup title in the final against France eight months ago, but he missed the quarterfinal against Germany and didn't commit himself to playing while he was at Wimbledon. Acioly said the loss of Philippoussis would boost Brazil's chances but Australia still had home advantage and a determined, highly experienced lineup. "I know they're going to get here a bit late, and we all know that's a problem regarding the time zones and the changes and the rest," Acioly said. "But when you're playing at home those things don't count that much. "Playing away on grass against Australia, I don't think it's the best chance we've had." The Brazilian said the makeshift grass courts at ANZ Stadium were a little slow but OK to play on. Russian No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov sparked uproar by describing the court prepared at the same venue for last year's Australia vs. Russia tie as a "potato field."
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