Woodbridge out with mental problem says Newcombe

SYDNEY, JULY 12: Australia's Davis Cup captain John Newcombe says doubles specialist Todd Woodbridge has withdrawn from the quarter-final...

SYDNEY, JULY 12: Australia’s Davis Cup captain John Newcombe says doubles specialist Todd Woodbridge has withdrawn from the quarter-final tie against the United States because his nerve has failed him.

Woodbridge, who forms one of the world’s top doubles teams with Mark Woodforde, was carrying a minor arm injury but Newcombe said his mental state was the main reason he pulled out of the match starting Friday in Brookline, Mass.

“I don’t think the injury is the primary reason,” Newcombe said today. “I think he honestly doesn’t feel like he can cope with it mentally. His singles ranking has dropped way down and they (Woodbridge and Woodforde) lost first round in Paris and halfway through Wimbledon.”

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The Woodies’ have won 51 career titles, including nine Grand Slams, and have lost just twice in 15 Davis Cup matches since their debut in 1993.

“Todd feels like he didn’t take a few chances at Wimbledon and his nerve failed him,” said Newcombe. “He says he just doesn’t want to let anyone down.”

The Australian team is already missing US Open finalist Mark Philippoussis, who withdrew from his Wimbledon quarter-final against Pete Sampras with a knee injury. The five-match competition starts Friday with Australia facing a strong US team of Todd Martin, Jim Courier, Pete Sampras and Alex O’Brien.