20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer has spoken out against any potential interference by new investor Gerard Pique in the Davis Cup.
Next year the Davis Cup will be transformed into a 18-team end-of-year event after receiving official backing at an ITF AGM vote. The driving force behind the new development is Barcelona F.C. footballer Pique and his company Kosmos. Kosmos has pledged to invest $3 billion in the tournament over the next 25 years. An initiative that has divided opinion in the sport.
Details of where the first edition of the event will be is yet to be formally announced. Pique has also revealed that the weeklong tournament could also be moved from November to September to accommodate players’ needs. If this would be the case, it will be positioned on a potential collision course with the Federer-backed Laver Cup. Which is set to be hosted next year in Geneva between September 20-22.
“The good part of all this confusion is that everyone will have to sit around one table and listen to the other’s desires: the ITF, the ATP, the Laver Cup. It is true that the coming weeks may be very interesting.” Federer told French-speaking reporters at the US Open.
There is now a three-way fight in the world of men’s team events. Besides the Davis and Laver Cup’s, the ATP are also gaining in momentum with their plans. The governing body of men’s tennis intends to revive the World Team Cup in partnership with Tennis Australia. Offering ranking points to players who participate. They are hoping to re-launch the tournament in January 2020.
Speaking about Pique’s emergence as a powerful figure in tennis, Federer has issued a direct warning to the 31-year-old. Warning him against transforming the event into his own masterpiece.
“I haven’t spoken to Gerard Pique yet, but I admit that it’s a bit odd to see a footballer arrive and meddle in the tennis business. Be careful: the Davis Cup should not become the Piqué Cup.” Federer stated.
“I am globally for innovations. Our sport needs to think a little outside the box to innovate. But it’s a bit like in a game of Jenga: you have to be careful not to remove the piece that will bring down the whole building.”
Earlier this week, Pique spoke about Federer during an interview with Spanish website El Pais. Pointing out the Swiss world No.2 has cautiously backed the new tournament.
“I listened to his statements and they were not negative.” He said of Federer. “He said that it caused him sadness because there have been many years with that format, but he also said that he wanted to see how the new proposal would work.”
An announcement on the date and venue of the 2019 Davis Cup finals are expected later this year.
