This weekend’s Davis Cup action has been as much about making a statement off the court as well as on it.
The competition takes place amidst an ongoing debate concerning its future. Later this year a vote will take place about a plan to revamp it. Set out by the ITF with a 25-year $3 billion investment from Kosmos, officials want to turn the event into a week-long team competition held in one venue. Matches will be reduced to three sets with the home and away ties being removed from the top tier.
Supporters argue that it is needed to accommodate players better with their demanding scheduling commitments. Although critics has slammed the proposal as too radical. Former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt falls into the latter category. He is Australia’s most successful Davis Cup player of all time with 58 wins. Now with the position of team captain, Hewitt is not afraid to voice his frustration with the governing body of tennis.
“Another weekend of @DavisCup tennis showcasing all the elite talent the tennis world has to offer. @ITF_Tennis have their head in the sand. Current stars and future greats representing their countries.” He tweeted on Friday.
Hewitt’s view is one that has been shared by others throughout the weekend. Providing the ITF with plenty to think about. Saturday saw the German team of Jan-Lennard Struff and Tim Puetz outlast their Spanish rivals in a five-set epic that lasted over four hours. Played inside a packed bullring in Valencia, the near-capacity crowd cheered both teams on despite the gloomy weather. Shortly after the match, German captain Michael Kohlmann seized upon his chance to take aim at David Haggerty. The head of the ITF, who has been a key figure in the proposed changes.
“Greetings to Dave Haggerty, this is Davis Cup.” 👇 pic.twitter.com/SFl7JwV5Uc
— Del (@Stroppa_Del) 7 April 2018
In wake of Kohlmann’s comment, the German Tennis Federation joined in solidarity. Tweeting the video with the caption ‘true and important words from our captain.’ Belgium player Steve Darcis later described the comment as a ‘great call.’
In Italy, Nicolas Mahut stressed his viewpoint during an interview with daviscup.com. Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert clinched their doubles match over Italy on Saturday. France, who are the current Davis Cup champions, is one of the most vocal opponents of removing home and away ties from the event.
“This is what Davis Cup is all about. This is why we are defending the format to to play home and away.” Mahut said on Saturday. “This is why this is unbelievable to play. Even if this is not at home. This is what Davis Cup is all about.”
A vote on the 18-team proposal will take place in August at the ITF’s annual AGM meeting. It required two thirds backing for it to go ahead.
