# Arthur Ashe resigns as US Davis Cup captain

> Arthur Ashe steps down as US Davis Cup captain after players' lack of commitment.
- Title: Arthur Ashe resigns as US Davis Cup captain · Tennis Majors
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: arthur ashe, davis cup, jimmy connors, john mcenroe, tennis, captain, resignation, 1985, grand slam, sports, Arthur, Ashe
- Source: Tennis Majors — https://tennismajors.com/others-news/october-22-1985-the-day-arthur-ashe-resigned-as-usas-davis-cup-captain-299964.html
- Published: 2026-10-22T07:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: arthur ashe, us, davis cup, jimmy connors, john mcenroe, tennis, captain, resignation, 1985, grand slam, sports
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Arthur Ashe resigned as US Davis Cup captain on October 22, 1985, due to top players' lack of commitment and John McEnroe's outbursts.