Never in the 105-year history of the Davis Cup had the United States lost a first round match on home soil.
And if they are being honest, never did the American dream team of Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and the erstwhile impregnable Bryan twins believe they would be the first to suffer such ignominy.
But the inability of eight-times Grand Slam winner Agassi to hit his "meat and potatoes" shots in California and the Bryan twins' capitulation in the face of Ivan Ljubicic and Mario Ancic led to the Americans' demise.
"It was a terrible blow for the Americans... a shock they will not easily overcome," Croatian talisman and former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic crowed after the weekend's upset.
"To lose at home, with a team they dubbed 'The Dream Team'..."
Ljubicic was the hero of the tie, beating Agassi and Roddick as well as winning the doubles. "It's going to be huge at home and around the world," he said.
"To beat Andre, the Bryans and Roddick in three days, it's a great effort.
"When I came here, I was thinking I could win just one singles, to keep up the momentum and keep the confidence up. I did it all the way so it's amazing," he smiled as he revelled in his new-found global fame.
Croatia's glory will shine for a little while yet but it is the Americans' tarnished reputation which is likely to endure a little longer.
Captain Patrick McEnroe had persuaded Agassi to return to the Davis Cup team in place of the dropped Mardy Fish -- a decision the wisdom of which he must now be doubting.
"Well, it certainly hurts a lot," McEnroe said afterwards. "I mean, when you go out -- I mean, yeah, it does.
"After getting in the final last year, starting off at home with our best team, it's disappointing. I certainly didn't expect it."
Having spent a long time persuading the ageing Agassi to return to Davis Cup tennis, McEnroe conceded that the competition may now have seen the last of the player who turns 35 next month.
"Yeah, it's way too early to know," the captain said. "You know, we were excited to have him back. I think he was excited to be back... it's disappointing the way it turned out."
Whether or not Agassi would be prepared to play in a relegation play-off in September remains to be seen. If not, McEnroe is back to square one looking for a class act to support world number three Roddick.
"Well, look, obviously that's a big question," McEnroe said. "And obviously, you know, there's quite a bit of time between now and the relegation match to see what sort of things shake out.
"You know, Andre, obviously we'll see what kind of year he has and what happens in the next six months.
"It is the same old story. If you take Andre out of that part of the equation, you know, James (Blake) coming back, he'll have a full year, see what he can do.
"Taylor (Dent) has made some improvements. Maybe he can keep going. Mardy (Fish), he's struggled so far this year.
"Robby (Ginepri) has had some decent results. But there's not one guy who has stepped up."
What McEnroe would give for a player like his big brother John to come along and help repair the bruises to the American ego.
