UP FRONT... ->> - AGASSI TO TEAM UP WITH CAHILL? A week after parting company with Brad Gilbert, ANDRE AGASSI is looking at Australian Darren Cahill as a potential replacement. As Agassi continues his rehabilitation on the right wrist injury that kept him out of the Australian Open in January, Agassi Enterprises spokesman Todd Wilson said: "There's a strong likelihood that he will be working with Darren. Andre is not prepared to make an announcement about his coach until he gets cleared to play. He admires Darren's work and he is the only one he's looking at right now." Cahill, who parted company with Lleyton Hewitt late last year after taking the 20-year-old to the prestigious year-end world No.1 spot, told The Age in Melbourne: "We've had numerous conversations over the last week or so, and hopefully we'll get together." ->> - JOHANSSON'S SPLIT DECISION Australian Open champion THOMAS JOHANSSON made an emotional return to his hometown of Linkoping after completing a whirlwind media tour on his arrival in Sweden. After being honored in front of a packed ice hockey stadium in Stangebro Ishall during the game between Linkoping HC and Djurgardens IF, Thomas received a hockey stick and the official Linkoping Hockey Club jersey from the president of the club Christer Mard. The jersey, with "Johansson 02" on the back to signify his 2002 victory, also served to remind him which club he should be pulling for in the future - despite Linkoping being his home team, Johansson supports Djurgardens. Next up for Johansson was a special event with speeches, gifts and dancing exhibitions organized by the city of Linkoping. Members of the city council, his former tennis club Linkopings TK, friends and family were present in the city "Concert and Congress" hall to hear what the hero of Linkoping had to say and to see a tape of the final moments in his match against Safin projected on a big screen. "This experience has been truly a great one," said Johansson. ->> - IT'S A RAP...GUSTAVO KUERTEN and his coach Larri Passos swapped the tennis court for the TV set as they shot a commercial for Brazilian drink Guaraná Kuat in Florianopolis. "It has been a while since I hadn't taken part in [a commercial] and also it is the first time that I have done one with Larri," said Kuerten, who is recovering from a right hip injury. "It was a very good idea to shoot the commercial with Larri so we can show everyone how we work." Kuerten is to film two other commercials, one called "Heart" which will resemble the heart he drew at Roland Garros last year, and another one in which he plays against his shadow. ->> - RODDICK GETS HEAT IN OKLAHAMA ANDY RODDICK was on the receiving end of some American football banter during preparations for the U.S. Davis Cup tie against the Slovak Republic in Oklahoma City. The 19-year-old, who spent the first 10 years of life living in Omaha and Texas before moving to Florida, has made no secret of his allegiance to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, long-time college rivals of the Oklahoma Sooners. "Everyone here is going to have to forgive me for that one - at least for this week," said Roddick, adding: "I don't like any of the Florida teams, if that helps." To make matters worse for him, former Dallas Cowboys and Oklahoma University head coach Barry Switzer attended practice on Wednesday afternoon and mingled with Roddick and his fellow team members PETE SAMPRAS, MARDY FISH and captain PATRICK MCENROE. Switzer, who coached the Dallas Cowboys to Super Bowl glory in 1996, also coached Oklahoma to the NCAA football championship in 1985. But Roddick put his allegiances aside to present Switzer with a US Davis Cup team sweatshirt, while Switzer autographed Oklahoma footballs for both Roddick and McEnroe. INJURY UPDATE Sweden's ANDREAS VINCIGUERRA looks set to be out for a month after breaking a bone just above the little finger in his right hand while playing soccer at home in Malmo. The 20-year-old, who is heading to Birmingham to watch his countrymen take on Great Britain in the Davis Cup, is wearing a cast after slipping in a hole on January 26. Vinciguerra, who plays left-handed but has a two-handed backhand, withdrew from next week's Copenhagen Open and hopes to be back in action in time for the Pacific Life Open presented by the City of Indian Wells, which begins on March 11. MEDIA MONITOR In a USA Today Special, Andrea Leand takes a closer look at PETE SAMPRAS as he enters a new phase in his career both on and off the court. Writes Leand: "As the 30-year-old prepares for Davis Cup duties this weekend, he refuses to let others write the conclusion to his record-breaking career. He does not want sympathy, pity or best wishes - just a little respect. But after a disappointing 2001 season, with no Grand Slam titles, Sampras realizes he will have to earn that respect - again. 'I made it look so easy on court all those years,' said Sampras, who'll lead the USA against Slovakia in Oklahoma City. 'No one realized how hard I had to work. No one realized how much I had to put into it. They underestimated my intensity, but I guess they are seeing my intensity now.'" In an article by Neil Harman in the UK's Sunday Telegraph, BJORN BORG voiced his support of Swedish tennis and THOMAS JOHANSSON in particular. Writes Harman: "Borg, who now relishes his low profile, rang one of Sweden's leading newspapers to ask that his congratulations be passed on to Johansson for delivering the country with their first Slam since Edberg lifted the 1992 US Open...' The jury has been out on Swedish tennis because the media has made the most of the fact we haven't had the victories as we used to. In reality, Swedish tennis is stronger than it has been for a long time and we have a Davis Cup team of four players with the capacity to win anything. And don't forget, Magnus Norman has to come back from a long injury lay-off and his time will also come.'" NEW PRESS SECTION ON ATP WEB SITE The Press and Media section on ATPtennis.com has been given a new look for 2002, with easy-to-access ATP Champions Race, ESP and Prize Money standings, together with By the Numbers stats, ITW and ATP Insider archives, Media Guide downloads and Media Links. PLAY WITH THE PROS IN CLUB MED'S TENNIS BASH For one fantastic week this winter, the sweet spot for tennis fans is Club Med Paradise Island, Bahamas. From only $399, you could spend three nights in paradise at a beachfront village with celebrity players. Club Med also is offering three nights at tennis-loving Sandpiper, Florida for only $299 (kids $99) on selected dates in January through April. Tennis Bash space is limited so call now, 1-877-754-5437. SAY WHAT... "It's like love. When you look too hard, you don't find it. When you let it happen naturally, it comes." - Marat Safin telling CNNSI.com how he rediscovered his form at the Australian Open in Melbourne. "It's fair to say Argentina are the favorites here but having said that, that takes the pressure off us and we have a quiet confidence in this team and we believe we have a damn good chance." - Australian Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald after his injury-hit team arrived in Buenos Aires.

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