Andre Agassi's former coach recalls contentious Davis Cup thriller against Argentina featuring an irate John McEnroe

Former American tennis player and Andre Agassi's former coach Brad Gilbert reminisced about the contentious Davis Cup thriller played between the United States of America and Argentina in 1981.

The final of the 1981 edition was a fight between the USA (John McEnroe and Peter Fleming) and Argentina (José Luis Clerc and Guillermo Vilas). The former won the title, winning 3-1 in the final, which was held at the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States from December 11 to 13, 1981. This result also gave the United States their 27th title.

When a social media post by the official account of the Davis Cup asked fans if they remembered a magical lob from the doubles tie in the 1981 final, Gilbert replied by saying that he was the practice partner for the USA.

"I was the practice partner for that Davis cup final in Cincinnati, amazing 5 set thriller in doubles vs Argentina," he tweeted.

Brad Gilbert

@bgtennisnation

I was the practice partner for that Davis cup final in Cincinnati, amazing 5 set thriller in doubles vs Argentina twitter.com/daviscup/statu…

Davis Cup

@DavisCup

Less than TWO days until the World Cup of Tennis is back 🤩

Can you remember what year this magical lob was from?

#DavisCup #byRakuten | @AATenis @usta

55

9

Less than TWO days until the World Cup of Tennis is back 🤩

Can you remember what year this magical lob was from? 👀

#DavisCup #byRakuten | @AATenis @usta https://t.co/aXtVbprP7p

I was the practice partner for that Davis cup final in Cincinnati, amazing 5 set thriller in doubles vs Argentina 🇦🇷 twitter.com/daviscup/statu…

While Jose Luis Clerc vowed the crowd by hitting the lob past McEnroe, it was the USA who prevailed in the end. The doubles tie was the third rubber, which the USA won 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 4-6, 11-9.

Gilbert stated that the atmosphere that night was electrifying. He tweeted:

"Was extremely contentious USA 🇺🇸 won 5 set thriller something like 11-9 in the 5th in that doubles amazing 🤩 atmosphere."

Brad Gilbert

@bgtennisnation

Was extremely contentious USA won 5 set thriller something like 11-9 in the 5th in that doubles amazing 🤩 atmosphere twitter.com/fellerbob/stat…

Bob Feller

@FellerBob

@bgtennisnation I was there also… Johnny Mac got into it with Vilas who said.. “..you talking to me?” Arthur Ashe had to restrain John. Was a great tie in Cincy @DavisCup

11

1

@bgtennisnation I was there also… Johnny Mac got into it with Vilas who said.. “..you talking to me?” Arthur Ashe had to restrain John. Was a great tie in Cincy @DavisCup

Was extremely contentious USA 🇺🇸 won 5 set thriller something like 11-9 in the 5th in that doubles amazing 🤩 atmosphere twitter.com/fellerbob/stat…

---

Davis Cup set to be a part of ATP Tour calendar

World No. 4 Casper Ruud is the highest-ranked player in the 2023 Davis Cup qualifiers. PC: Getty Images

The Davis Cup will now officially be a part of the ATP Tour calendar from the 2023 season. The deal was signed in October last year by the governing body of men's tennis (ATP), the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and the tournament promoters.

The decision reflects a growing cooperation between the men's and women's tours and the ITF, which have moved towards streamlining the governance of the game since the COVID-19 crisis disrupted the 2020 season.

The ATP, however, said there was no change with respect to rankings points, which were awarded from 2009 to 2015 before being discontinued. The ITF stated that ranking points could be considered in the future and the matter has been discussed with the ATP. The players, as of now, are selected by the national team captains and not based on ranking points.

The 2023 edition of the tournament begins with the Qualifiers from February 3 to 5. The Qualifiers consist of 12 matches, with the winners joining defending champions Canada, last year's runners-up Australia, hosts Spain and wildcard Italy in the Finals group stage, to be held in September.

---

​