If passion and commitment are the keys to success, it's only a matter of time before Australia starts winning Fed Cups again under the captaincy of John Alexander.

At 53 and after a lifetime's devotion to his sport, Alexander has once again answered the call for help from Tennis Australia.

It's nothing new to "JA". We're talking about a man who once - literally and quite famously - put his body on the line for Australian tennis.

In 1973, at a time of great upheaval on the sub-continent and when others opted out, Alexander joined John Newcombe, Mal Anderson, John Cooper, Bob Giltinan, Geoff Masters and skipper Neale Fraser in a crucial Davis Cup tie in India.

"The Black September Group was there and threatened to kill us if we played," Giltinan recalled.

But play they did, albeit with armed guards for protection, and a 4-0 win to Australia underlined the team's incredible resolve in crisis.

Alexander, who boasts a 27-14 win-loss from a distinguished and triumphant 11-year Davis Cup career, promises to bring similar intensity and loyalty to the Australian Fed Cup cause.

He said he craved for the opportunity to become more closely involved at the elite level after 15 years on Tennis Australia's Player Development board, including the last 10 as chairman.

"At times, it's frustrating when you're background is actually a tennis player and a tennis coach and working with young people and that's where I really wanted to be and so now I have that chance," Alexander said.

"As a tennis player, you have lots of highs and lows. There's extreme highs when you win matches and you feel like a real loser when you lose matches.

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