THE SCOOP: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24

Zina nudged into Fed Cup captaincy
Martina passed over; BJK still on board as coach

By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net

Susan Mullane/ Camerawork USA

Back in November before the Fed Cup final was played, Martina Navratilova was vocally campaigning for Billie Jean King's Fed Cup captaincy, but said that since BJK was interested in leaving anytime soon, she didn't think she had a shot at 2004.

Surprise, surprise. King vacated her post on Monday, but USTA President Alan Schwartz selected Zina Garrison as captain. Garrison has served as the squad's coach since 1999 and will swatch positions with King, who will now be the coach. Garrison was given a one-year deal, so it is conceivable that Navratilova – who will play again next year – will be a candidate for 2005.

"Zina's keen understanding of the sport, honed as a championship singles, doubles, team player and coach – along with her dedication to Fed Cup and her relationship with the players – make her an ideal person to lead the
2004 US Fed Cup team," said Schwartz. "She brings unique experience to the captain's role, having worked closely for the past five years with the incomparable King, who has led the US to more championships than any other captain in Fed Cup history."

Apparently it took some urging for King for the somewhat shy Garrison to take the post. "I've had a wonderful run as US Fed Cup captain," said King. "Women's international team tennis competition is a passion of mine and one that requires a major commitment. I fully support Alan's decision to select Zina, who I am convinced is capable of leading the team to a championship. I am committed as coach to support Zina's efforts with the same passion, desire and enthusiasm she has brought to the team for the past five years."

Garrison becomes the first African-American captain in the 40-year history of the women's international team competition. She will make her debut as captain when the US faces Slovenia in the 2004 World Group first round April 24-25 in Slovenia. The 2003 team advanced to the final in Moscow last month before being run over by France.

"I'm thrilled to be selected captain of the US Fed Cup team and am ready for the pursuit of a championship, having learned so much from my mentor – Billie Jean," said Garrison. "Leading the effort in representing our country in Fed Cup is a great responsibility and an opportunity for which I am very grateful. Being a part of the US Fed Cup team as a player and coach provides a perspective on what it takes to build a championship caliber team and I am looking forward to the challenge."

Garrison faces a challenge in putting an A-list team together for next year. She's close to Venus Williams and has a good relationship Serena, so the team will probably be able to count on the Williamses for one tie. Whether she can convince veterans Jen Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, Monica Seles and Chanda Rubin to play again is very much up in the air. But if I'm Zina, I'm playing Ashely Harkleroad on clay in Slovenia over either Meghann Shaughnessy or Alexandra Stevenson.

Coaching changes
Shaughnessy is looking for a personal coach. She and former fiancée Rafael Font de Mora split as teacher and pupil after the US Open.

Art Seitz

Taylor Dent is traveling with his father and now coach Phil and the two will pair up at the Australian Open. Dent's former coach, Brad Stine, is now the director of junior tennis at Copper River Country Club in Fresno.

Here's what USTA High Performance coach Debbie Graham had to say about NCAA champs Amber Lui's decision to return to Stanford for her sophomore year. "If Amber was going to give the pros a shot, she should have taken off the fall semester instead been taking a full load of classes. That's too distracting if you are trying to win matches. If you are going to play at that level, give it your all. I think she sold herself short. But I do think she has a chance to make it as a pro if she gets a little physically stronger. I like the way she uses the court."