Courier eyes US captaincy

Patrick McEnroe will step down as captain of the US Davis Cup team after next week’s world group play-off tie in Colombia and retired US star Jim Courier has thrown his hat into the ring to replace him.

McEnroe, the longest tenured captain in US Davis Cup history, will guide the Americans in Bogota on September 17-19 before his resignation takes effect, ending a decade in charge of the team that won a record 32nd Cup title in 2007.

Courier, a two-time Australian Open and French Open champion, said he would be interested in replacing McEnroe. The 40-year-old former world number one was part of a 1990s golden age of US tennis with Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.

“Davis Cup means the world to me and at some point in my life I certainly hope to have that seat,” said Courier, who helped the Americans win the 1992 Davis Cup and serves as a television commentator for US coverage of the Open.

“I’m definitely interested in the job so hopefully they will give me a call and we will chat about it.”