From Tennis Majors · · 1m 40s
Arthur Ashe resigns as US Davis Cup captain
Arthur Ashe steps down as US Davis Cup captain after players' lack of commitment.
In brief
Arthur Ashe steps down as US Davis Cup captain after players' lack of commitment. Arthur Ashe resigned as US Davis Cup captain on October 22, 1985, due to top players' lack of commitment and John McEnroe's outbursts. Originally reported by Tennis Majors.
Arthur Ashe resigns as US Davis Cup captain
Arthur Ashe resigned as the United States Davis Cup team captain on October 22, 1985, after top players showed lack of commitment.
Ashe's background
Arthur Ashe was the first African-American male player to win a Grand Slam title and became the US Davis Cup captain in 1981.
Ashe's early career
Ashe won his first Grand Slam title in 1968 and became the first African-American player selected for the US Davis Cup team in 1969.
Ashe's Davis Cup success
Under Ashe, the US won the Davis Cup in 1981 and 1982, with Jimmy Connors joining the team in 1981.
Connors' withdrawal
Jimmy Connors announced he would not participate in the Davis Cup again after 1985, ending his involvement with the team.
McEnroe's outbursts
John McEnroe's outbursts and lack of commitment led Ashe to require a code of conduct for Davis Cup players.
Ashe's resignation statement
Ashe stated he resigned to 'protect the team and himself personally' after five years as captain.
Replacement captain
Tom Gorman replaced Ashe as US Davis Cup captain, with the US not winning the Davis Cup until 1990.
Ashe's legacy
Ashe died in 1993 at age 49 from AIDS-related pneumonia after contracting the disease from a blood transfusion in the 1980s.
The bottom line
Arthur Ashe resigned as US Davis Cup captain on October 22, 1985, due to top players' lack of commitment and John McEnroe's outbursts.
