Davis Cup hits Mildura

Originally published April 1998

The undoubted success of the historic first Davis Cup tie held outside a capital Australian city would augur well for future attempts to stage another tie in Mildura, according to the event organiser.

However, Tennis Australia’s Mike Dawes said Mildura, like other venue hopefuls, would need to start all over again in its chase of another Davis Cup tie.

Mr Dawes said he believed there was little doubt that another round of the Davis Cup tie would be held in regional Australia.

And he further suggested that major sporting bodies, such as the Australian Cricket Board, would take note of the success of the Davis Cup tie in Mildura and act on it.

His comments followed an historic Davis Cup tie victory by Zimbabwe who defeated an Australian team boasting the likes of Pat Rafter, Jason Stoltenberg and the “Woodies” — Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde.

Zimbabwe’s Black brothers — Wayne and Byron — played on each of the three days of the historic Mildura tie and along the way accounted for Rafter, Stoltenberg and Woodbridge.

Zimbabwe won the rubber three matches to two, winning both the reverse singles matches in the last day of competition.

Rafter had pulled out of the reverse singles match against Wayne Black on the morning of the final day due to illness and was replaced by Woodforde.

Rafter’s inclusion in the Australian team, however, was overshadowed by the unexpected arrival of Mark Philippoussis.

The shock announcement that Philippoussis would attend the tie raised more questions than answers over the division between he and Australian captain John Newcombe.

Newcombe said he had some reservations about Philippoussis being at the tie and the Australian team had “mixed reactions” about the self-exiled player being there.

Philippoussis was reported to have said he would not play Davis Cup for Australia until he received an apology from Newcombe.