Australia have appointed Todd Woodbridge as Davis Cup coach in an effort to reverse flagging fortunes in a competition they have won 28 times.

More Stories

• Cilic leads Croatia to USA win
• Czechs knock out Argentina
• Israel complete Russia upset
• Ferrero sees Spain past Germans

Woodbridge, a 16-time doubles Grand Slam champion, has been appointed national men's and Davis Cup coach in an expanded full-time role, Tennis Australia said.

"I am excited by the challenge ahead. This job appealed to me because of the breadth of the scope and the chance to make a difference," the 38-year-old said.

Woodbridge, Australia's longest-serving Davis Cup player and a member of the 1999 and 2003 Davis Cup-winning teams, held an imposing 14-2 win-loss record with doubles partner Mark Woodforde.

A regular Davis Cup finalist at the turn of this century, Australia have struggled in recent years amid reduced playing stocks and currently has only one player in the top 100 in former world number one Lleyton Hewitt.

Australia was knocked out in a world group play-off by Chile last year, and prematurely ended its 2009 campaign after forfeiting a regional group tie against India earlier this year over security concerns in the sub-continent.