The head of the French Tennis Federation has said plans to reform the Fed Cup will be submitted later this year.
Bernard Giudicelli told reporters over the weekend that the team competition is set to undergo changes in 2019. The revelation follows plans to reform the Davis Cup, which is yet to be approved. The ITF wants to change the format of the men’s tournament to a weeklong competition taking place at a neutral venue. A motion that has split the sport.
“The reform is on the way and the project will probably be rubber-stamped at Roland Garros (May 27-June 10) and submitted to the International Tennis Federation General Assembly (in August),” Giudicelli said during France’s Fed Cup tie against the USA.
It is yet to be confirmed as to what the changes to the Fed Cup will be, but the most likely adjustment will be to the size of world group. The top tier of the competition currently only features eight teams. Something that was first introduced back in 1995. It is unclear as to how many more teams will be added, but the Davis Cup world group is currently 16. Although that number would increase to 18 if the ITF proposals are passed later this year.
“The purpose of the reform is to favour more teams in the World Group.” Giudicelli confirmed without elaborating further.
The planned revamp of the Davis Cup has received high-profile financial backing of Kosmos. An investment firm founded by Barcelona F.C. footballer Gerald Pique. They have already pledged a $3 billion investment over 25 years if the plan goes ahead. Giudicelli has also indicated that financial interest have also been shown in the Fed Cup by unnamed parties. Although this does not mean that the competition could go through the same radical changes.
“Investors have shown interest in the Fed Cup. I think they have shown an interest in supporting the international federation and giving it the means to organise competitions that have a real impact,” he said.
The ITF is yet to publicly speak about any planned changes to the Fed Cup.
