Four time grand slam champion, Manolo Santana has wrote an open letter today to announce that he is opposing the Davis Cup reforms, which will be voted on next week.
The former world number one has clarified his thoughts and feelings on the upcoming Davis Cup reforms in an emotional letter today, in which he opposes the reforms. The Spaniard did say that he would like to see some change to the Davis Cup but this isn’t the change he desired as he doesn’t believe in doing it for economic benefits. Here are some of the key points from his passionate letter to the ‘fans of tennis and journalists’:
- He states his previous success in Davis Cup and reaffirms his current passion stating, “And this passion for Davis Cup I still have. In fact, this year I have not hesitated for a second to be present in Marbella and Valencia cheering and supporting Spain in each tie. And I can say (and I’ve lived a lot) that the images I lived in the Plaza de Toros in Valencia were magical, unforgettable.”
- He explains that there does need to be some kind of reform change for the Davis Cup however there needs to be the ‘greatest possible transparency and thinking about the good of tennis not purely economic interests.’
- He explains that the ITF asked him if Madrid could be one of the potential venues in the future but says he is ‘not in favour’ if the Mutua Madrid Open is put at risk.
- The reason for not wanting to host it in Madrid is simple for him because “This new Davis would arrive in Madrid for a couple of years and then go to any city in Asia, USA. UU or to any other point on the planet. The Davis in Madrid would be an eventual tournament, passenger.”
- He has faith in those voting in Orlando next week that they will do in what is in the best interest of tennis as he believes Federations have given this decision thought.
- He says the Davis Cup has been with him for most of his life and understands that no many people ‘think like me.’
- He finishes his letter with, “After decades competing in this wonderful competition that I adore, I could not remain silent. The Davis Cup has been (and is!) Part of my life and it would break my heart if its essence is distorted. Long live the Davis Cup.”
The passionate letter from Santana is one written with honesty in passion as he believes the reforms are done with the wrong intentions and that the history of this great competition should take priority over the profit that would be gained.
Federation members will vote next Thursday in Orlando, Florida on the following reforms:
- An 18 team tournament at the end of the year in one venue, which would be held in Europe for the first two years.
- A 24 team qualifying event in February, which would consist of 12 home and away ties, with the 12 winners advancing to the end of season tournament along with the four semi-finalists from the previous year’s Davis Cup and two wildcards. The losers compete in the Zone Groups.
- The tournament would consist of six round robin groups of three teams in each group, with Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Finals following the group stage.
- Teams placed 17th and 18th would automatically be relegated to the zonal groups, with 5th to 16th competing in following year’s qualifying event.
- Ties contested at the event will be two singles and one doubles all on one day while the qualifying event and zone groups will have four singles and one doubles spread over two days.
- All matches would be best of three tiebreak sets.
The reforms need a two-thirds majority to be approved.
