Certainly not all the players recorded herein are Grand Slam champions or even recognizable to casual sports fans. The bond, however, that links competitors in Davis Cup is that isolating phenomenon of the umpire never announcing the athlete's name. Only his nation. As in "Game. USA," rather than "Game. Roddick."

And reflect on this. Tennis is the only sport where the individual sport is played on the identical surface as the team game. With Davis Cup adding the pressure cooker of country to already fiery singles and doubles competition.