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SPORTS Friday 28 September 2018

In this April 7, 2017, file photo, U.S. captain Jim Courier reacts
during a Davis Cup world group quarterfinal tennis match
between Australia’s Jordan Thompson and Jack Sock, of the
U.S., in Brisbane, Australia.
Associated Press

Courier to AP: Decided

in ‘17 to leave as

Davis Cup captain

By HOWARD FENDRICH 18-team tournament at a
AP Tennis Writer neutral site.
Jim Courier says he de- “The format change did
cided a year ago to step not factor into my thinking,
aside as captain of the U.S. as it was far from a certain-
Davis Cup team after the ty when I made the deci-
2018 competition ended. sion,” Courier wrote.
The U.S. Tennis Associa- He said he had been work-
tion announced Thursday ing under a one-year con- In this July 14, 2012, file photo, U.S women’s Olympic basketball players Diana Taurasi (12) and
that Courier was “stepping tract in each of 2017 and Sue Bird (6) watch during practice in Washington.
down,” less than two weeks 2018, after having two-year Associated Press
after the Americans lost to deals over his first six years
host Croatia 3-2 in the Da- as the U.S. captain. Healthier living helps USA
vis Cup semifinals. The United States had a
not say why he was leaving play since Courier was ap- veterans Bird, Taurasi on court
The USTA’s news release did 10-8 record in World Group

after eight years on the job. pointed in October 2010,
In an email to The Associat- twice making it as far as By DOUG FEINBERG care of the body,” said the “Basically, it’s a heart moni-
ed Press, Courier said that the semifinals. AP Basketball Writer 36-year-old Taurasi. “In my tor, on top of that, it has a
the choice to walk away Among the players on SAN CRISTOBAL DE LA LA- career, my first couple of unique tracking system that
was his and that he deter- Courier’s rosters were Andy GUNA, Spain (AP) — Vet- years, until now. I changed helps you with your recov-
mined “at the end of 2017 Roddick, John Isner and erans Sue Bird and Diana the way I lived my life — ery,” Bird said.
that 2018 would be my final the Bryan brothers. Taurasi each had one of from what I eat to how I “It monitors if you have a
year as captain.” The country has won a re- their best WNBA seasons. rest. Therapy to the stuff off workout, what your heart
He added that he revealed cord 32 Davis Cup titles but Both players credit chang- the court that makes sure rate is, how hard your work-
his impending departure none since 2007. ing the way they take care you are fit on the court. I out was. Where it really
to players, staff and USTA Courier said the highlights of their bodies off the court had to change the way I comes in will be to tell you
President Katrina Adams at of his captaincy, “from a for their successes on it. looked at basketball and how much sleep they rec-
the team’s closing dinner in competition standpoint,” Eating healthier, getting myself and my career.” ommend for you that night.
Croatia on Sept. 16, after were beating a Swiss team more rest and doing more Bird made the changes a Tonight, you need eight
the matches there con- that featured Roger Feder- stretching has helped. Also, few years back and credits hours or 10 hours, it var-
cluded. er and Stan Wawrinka on the USA Basketball main- working with sports perfor- ies.” For the past year and
“The reason I made 2018 the road in 2012 and the stays are only playing in mance consultant Susan a half, Bird answers a few
my final year was my view “near comeback” against the WNBA during the sum- King Borchardt. It’s clearly questions on her phone
that eight years was the Croatia this month. mer and not overseas in paid off, with Bird and her and the WHOOP app tells
right amount of time for me Courier was part of Davis the offseason. For nearly a Seattle Storm teammates her how much sleep she
to lead the team,” Courier Cup-winning teams as a decade, the duo played winning the WNBA title this got. That data is also avail-
wrote to the AP. player in 1992 and 1995. more than 100 games a month. “She’s the one I able to Borchadt. They
Whoever the USTA brings He also won four Grand year with little time for rest credit for saving my ca- come up with a plan to fig-
aboard to replace Courier Slam singles titles and and recovery. WNBA play- reer,” said Bird, who turns ure out what Bird needs for
will be its first captain to op- reached No. 1 in the rank- ers make most of their mon- 38 next month. peak performance.
erate in the new Davis Cup ings. ey playing in more lucrative One innovation Bird uses is The younger players have
setup that was approved The 48-year-old retired leagues in Russia, China the WHOOP fitness tracker. taken notice. Stewart, the
by the International Tennis from the professional tour and Europe during the win- It’s a little black band on WNBA MVP of the regu-
Federation last month and in 2000 and was elected to ter. “I think there’s so much her wrist, along with team- lar season and finals, ap-
takes effect next year, in- the International Tennis Hall more information on diet mates Breanna Stewart proached Bird in late
cluding a season-ending, of Fame in 2005.q and recovery and taking and Jewell Loyd. March about her routine.q