
The International Tennis Federation have decided to postpone the idea of both Davis Cup and Fed Cup finals being held in the same location as they continue talks with stakeholders about the benefits of the idea.
The ITF have made this statement today to give clarification on the reforms that will be voted on in the upcoming AGM meeting in August. The reform package that will be discussed in the meeting next month will be in effect from the 2018 edition of the Davis Cup and Fed Cup. Here are the reforms that will be voted on:
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All singles matches in Davis Cup will be played as best-of-three tiebreak sets, rather than best-of-five sets. Davis Cup will retain its three-day format, with doubles still played on the Saturday over the best-of-five sets.
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The finalists in both Davis Cup and Fed Cup will be guaranteed the choice of hosting their first-round tie in the following year.
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The Davis Cup dead rubber policy will be amended to reduce the number of dead rubbers. If the fourth match is decisive, and lasts three sets or at least 90 minutes, the fifth match will not be played. A match tiebreak will replace the third set in all Davis Cup dead rubbers.
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Hosting costs for national associations will be reduced. This includes the reduction of match court availability by one day.
- Player onsite commitments will be reduced.
However one reform that will not be voted on is the idea of both Davis Cup and Fed Cup finals taking place on the same weekend in Geneva. The ITF have said they have been in talks with stakeholders and discussed the benefits of the idea. They have explained that as a result of the feedback they have decided to not vote on it in August and therefore will not take place in 2018. Here is what the ITF president said:
‘We promised change and are already delivering change with a significant series of reforms. Taking another year to build consensus around the World Cup of Tennis Finals will allow us to finalise an even stronger recommendation to the AGM. This decision shows that we do not act unilaterally, and are working with all our stakeholders to find the best solution for tennis. The World Cup of Tennis finals will unlock considerable new revenue for investing back into the sport through the ITF’s member nations. Investment in the development of the next generation remains the priority of the ITF and its national associations.’
This will be received as good news for most fans of the competition as this was one of the most controversial changes as it would take away the atmosphere of a Davis/Fed Cup final.
The other reforms will be voted on in Vietnam on the 4th of August and if agreed will be in effect from 2018.