The International Tennis Federation faces a new headache concerning the revamped Davis Cup after it has been reported that a series of top players have signed a letter refusing to participate.
French national daily newspaper L’Equipe has obtained information from ‘player sources’ in which it has been claimed that some players will boycott the competition. No names have been mentioned about who has signed this letter. As it currently stands, German world No.5 Alexander Zverev is the only person to have publicly said that he will not be participating in the finals due to its ‘crazy’ scheduling.
From 2019, the team tournament will be transferred into a week-long event. After the initial play-offs in February, 18 teams will travel to the Caja Magica in Madrid to play in a tournament replicating that of the world cup. Back by an ITF vote that took place earlier this year, the new format has split opinion. Critics are unhappy with the prospect of playing finals in a neutral location, which ends the 118-year tradition of home and away finals. The event will also take place at the end of the November. Meaning some players may face shorter off-season breaks.
“In November I do not want to play tennis anymore,” Zverev told reporters earlier this month.
“I think all the top guys will say the same thing. We have one and a half months off in our season, and that’s end of November and December.
“Making a tournament end of November which is 10 days playing and competing, it’s crazy.
“By the end of the year we are all tired.”
The driving force behind the concept is Kosmos, which was founded by Barcelona F.C. footballer Gerard Pique. They have pledged to invest millions of pounds into the event over the next 25 years in an agreement with the ITF. Pique has previously played-down the prospect of some star names skipping the event. Saying that he is confident that Rafael Nadal will play if not injured, before adding ‘with the number one, it is already more than enough.’
“We want to focus on teams not individuals, on players representing their nation and their federation and on building the best teams possible,” said Pique.
Despite the notable backing of 11-time French Open champion Nadal, apprehension surrounding the future of the event continues. Both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have refrained from committing to the event. Despite both of their countries being offered wild cards to play in the finals, according to The Times Newspaper.
In a recent interview with La Nacion, Kosmos CEO Javier Alonso has said that that there is a ‘unilateral exit’ clause in the contract between his company and ITF. Meaning that if the Davis Cup revamp fails within the next two years, Kosmos can’t walk away from the event. Alonso didn’t elaborate further about the terms of the contract.
The Davis Cup finals will take place between November 18 to 24.
