Thursday, April 3, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Andre Agassi, mired in the worst slump of his career, need look no further than Davis Cup captain Tom Gullikson for a boost of confidence.
The last time the Las Vegan and Gullikson represented the United States was at the Atlanta Olympics. They proved to be a winning duo, with Agassi earning the gold medal under Gullikson's coaching.
Agassi comes into Friday's second-round Davis Cup series against the Netherlands having lost five straight, the latest in his opening match in the Lipton Championships nearly two weeks ago.
The losses have dropped Agassi's ranking out of the top 20. This year, he's won just three matches.
That could change this weekend on the outdoor hardcourts at Palisades Tennis Club. Agassi has a 13-match winning streak in Davis Cup play.
"Some of the years he didn't play well on the tour he still did well in Davis Cup," Gullikson said Wednesday. "Having the support of his teammates and his countrymen in Newport will be big for him.
"It's helpful to him that he's playing for a greater cause than just himself. He's used to playing big matches. It tends to bring out the best from him."
Gullikson recalled that Agassi came into the Atlanta Olympics off early-round losses at the French Open and Wimbledon.
"It was a similar situation where he hadn't had a good year," he said. "He didn't play particularly well until the (Olympic) finals, but he competed really well."
Today's draw will decide the pairings for the mathes Friday through Sunday.
Agassi and resurgent Jim Courier will play singles, while Rick Leach, who lives in nearby Laguna Beach, and Jonathan Stark will play doubles.
Courier is the only holdover from a 4-1 victory over Brazil in February's opening round. He has emerged in recent weeks from his own slump, having advanced to the Lipton semifinals.
The Dutch team features Jan Siemerink and Sjeng Schalken in singles, and the potent doubles team of Jacco Eltingh and Paul Haarhuis.
Agassi and Courier seemingly have an edge in singles, but doubles is likely to be where the series is decided. Eltingh and Haarhuis are among the top six in the ATP's doubles rankings, while Leach and Stark are in the top 20.
U.S. Tennis Association president Harry Marmion suggested Wednesday that top Americans be paid to play doubles together. American duos are rare on the ATP Tour, where many Americans pair with foreign players.
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