The ITF’s vision to change the landscape of the Davis Cup may not be as straightforward as they would have liked with at least one national federation already pledging to oppose the plans.
On Monday the governing body of tennis unveiled a revolutionary plan that would change the Davis Cup format and end certain traditions. The proposal is a 18-team world cup of tennis that would be played at the end of the season in November. Backed by investment group Kosmos, which is owned by Barcelona F.C. Player Gerard Piqué, a 25-year deal has been agreed with $3.8bn to fund the tournament.
“This is a complete game-changer for the ITF and for tennis,” ITF president David Haggerty said.
“Our vision is to create a major season-ending finale that will be a festival of tennis and entertainment, featuring the world’s greatest players representing their nations to decide the Davis Cup champions.
“This new partnership will not only create a true World Cup of Tennis, but will also unlock record levels of new investment for future generations of tennis players and fans around the world.”
The ITF hopes to attract more top players to the draw by holding it one week during the year instead of various times throughout the season. Ties would consists of two singles and one doubles matches with the best-of-three sets format being used.
For years there has been calls for change to the 118-year-old tournament, but some believe that these are too radical. In the wake of the announcement, the Belgian Tennis Federation has vowed to vote against the plan. In order for the proposal to go ahead, the ITF needs to be backed by a majority of two thirds at their AGM meeting later this year.
“We are absolutely against and will vote against,” stated André Stein, president of Belgian tennis. “This formula is precisely what we do not want, because Belgium will never have the means to organize such a competition, so our public and our partners would see the already rare opportunities to see the best Belgian players in action fall away.”
The potential removal of home and away ties are something that has upset many. In means that in the future, countries may no longer see their own teams play matches on home soil. Unless they can facilitate the entire tournament. It isn’t just the Belgian contingent that are unhappy. According to Stein, France are also against the concept.
“I know the French are against and the former chairman of the ITF too.” He said.
Todd Woodbridge, who won two Davis Cup titles during his career, has accused the ITF of revealing the changes without holding talks with those involved. ITF president Haggerty said on Monday that the idea was based on feedback he received from the Players’ council.
“I’ve been around the Australian summer of tennis, Davis Cup, Fed Cup the last seven weeks and I’ve been in the commentary box with Lleyton Hewitt and there was no talk of any of this being thrown like a big bomb into the tennis landscape,” Woodbridge told ABC News.
“When you’ve got one of the greatest players in Australia’s Davis Cup history [Hewitt] and the competition’s history and he hasn’t been personally spoken to, you’ve got to ask questions about that due diligence and what is the ITF doing?”
All is not lost
Despite the threat of at least two countries voting against the idea, others have expressed cautious support. Rafael Nadal has welcomed the motion to change the format of the event. The Spaniard has previously held talks with Piqué over the idea of a tennis world cup.
“I think so (the changes are good) Obviously, when something does not work perfectly, it has to look for new solutions and this has been going on for years, it’s a good initiative that can work.” Nadal told DPA news agency.
The world No.2 also said that he hopes the new event will be one that will move around the world and not be fixed in one location.
British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith has urged others to keep an ‘open mind’ about the format. Saying that change has been long overdue. It is unclear as to if the British LTA will vote in favor or against the proposals.
“Of course one of the first things that came to mind is the loss of the home and away tie. It works in other sports but remains to be seen if it could work in Davis Cup. However, I do think it’s really positive the ITF are looking at significant investment from other sources to secure the future of the competition.” Smith told the Press Association.
“For now we’ll just have to keep an open mind as we start to learn more about this proposed new structure and whatever the outcome, I hope the Davis Cup remains the most important team event in world tennis.”
The vote for the proposal will take place in August. Should it gets the go ahead, the new competition could start in November 2019. It has been reported that multiple cities have already expressed an interest in hosting the event.
