# McEnroe's Davis Cup Controversy

> McEnroe sparked Zimbabwe backlash with 'cow dung' comment before 1999 Davis Cup tie.
- Title: McEnroe's Davis Cup Controversy · Tennis Majors | Shortify
- Summary: McEnroe sparked Zimbabwe backlash with 'cow dung' comment before 1999 Davis Cup tie. John McEnroe's Davis Cup captaincy began with controversial 'cow dung'…
- Keywords: john mcenroe, davis cup, zimbabwe, us tennis, andrew agassi, pete sampras, mugabe, chitungwiza, harare, davis cup 1999, sports, McEnroe's
- Source: Tennis Majors — https://tennismajors.com/others-news/davis-cup-news/on-this-day-october-7-1999-the-day-mcenroe-created-davis-cup-controversy-296348.html
- Published: 2026-10-07T01:10:41+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: john mcenroe, davis cup, zimbabwe, us tennis, andrew agassi, pete sampras, mugabe, chitungwiza, harare, davis cup 1999, sports
## McEnroe starts Davis Cup captaincy
On October 7 1999, John McEnroe began his Davis Cup captaincy with controversial remarks about Zimbabwe's court surface.

> cow dung
## Zimbabwe government reacts
Zimbabwean authorities under Mugabe called McEnroe's comment disparaging and questioned his mental state.

> disparaging
## McEnroe's team concerns
McEnroe worried top players would skip Zimbabwe tie after Australian Open injury concerns.

> I'm sure word is seeping out that our worst-case scenario has just taken place
## Sampras and Agassi decisions
Sampras injured hip in Australian Open semi-finals; Agassi committed to Zimbabwe tie.

> I think he realises it's the right thing to do
## McEnroe's court comment
McEnroe claimed Zimbabwe would host match on cow dung court, sparking immediate backlash.

> They are going to pick a surface that they feel they have the best chance of beating us on, which will probably be cow dung
## US team wins narrow victory
United States defeated Zimbabwe 3-2 in Harare with Chris Woodruff winning final match.

> Woodruff prevailing against Wayne Black in the deciding rubber, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4
## McEnroe's post-match action
McEnroe held clinic for children in Chitungwiza to cool controversy.

> cooling the controversy created by his comments
## US team's future challenges
United States failed to win Davis Cup until 2007 with Andy Roddick and James Blake.

> United States would not clinch another Davis Cup title until 2007
## Long-term impact
McEnroe's controversial comment led to U.S. team narrowly winning 1999 Davis Cup tie.

> The United States would survive a big scare in Harare, only scraping through 3-2
## Key takeaway

John McEnroe's Davis Cup captaincy began with controversial 'cow dung' remark about Zimbabwe's court surface, leading to U.S. team narrowly defeating them 3-2 in Harare.