Jim Courier is stepping down as the United States Davis Cup captain, less than two weeks after the Americans lost to Croatia, 3-2, in the semifinals.
The United States had a 10-8 record in World Group play since Courier was appointed in October 2010, twice making it as far as the semifinals.
The country’s most recent Davis Cup title came in 2007. Courier was part of Davis Cup-winning teams as a player in 1992 and 1995. He also won four Grand Slam singles titles and reached No. 1 in the rankings.
Beginning next year, the top team event in men’s tennis will be played as an 18-team, season-ending tournament at a neutral site.
Teams will play one week in February to advance to the final in November. The International Tennis Federation announced Thursday that the Davis Cup final will be played at the La Caja Magica in Madrid in 2019 and 2020.
The defending champion France will host Croatia in the last Davis Cup final in the current yearlong format from Nov. 23-25 in Lille.
Source : NYtimes
