Posted on: Wednesday, October 31, 2001

Hawai'i could play host to Davis Cup tennis matches

Advertiser Staff

U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe wants good weather and slow outdoor courts for his team's first-round match February against the Slovak Republic. That gives Hawai'i a shot at a Davis Cup sequel after a decade-long wait.

The U.S. Tennis Association has asked its Hawai'i Pacific Section, among others, to pick possible sites. The USTA will inspect about a dozen before making a choice in December.

The first-round will be Feb. 8-10. Hawai'i Pacific Section executive director Brent Mukai said the USTA will look at Royal Lahaina Tennis Ranch on Maui, and Hilton Waikoloa and Mauna Lani Racquet Club on the Big Island.

Mauna Lani was the site of a 1992 Davis Cup tie between Argentina and the U.S., with John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Rick Leach. The event sold out its 2,500 tickets each day.

Hilton Waikoloa has been the site of USTA Challenger events the last two years, and a WTA event, won by Sandrine Testud, in September. Andy Roddick, expected to play singles for the U.S. in February, won the Waikoloa event in January.

Mukai said the USTA is looking for venues that seat up to 3,000. Approximately $200,000 in sponsorship is needed. Tickets will be sold in three-day blocks, ranging from $60-$300.

Davis Cup also brings in a High Performance junior player development program.

Dominik Hrbaty and Karol Kucera play for the Slovak Republic. Roddick and Jan-Michael Gambill are expected to be the U.S. singles players.

Mukai also said preliminary plans are in the works for an exhibition between Taylor Dent and Chris Woodruff, Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at Turtle Bay Resort.