The founder of Kosmos has suggested that some critics of the newly formed Davis Cup are voicing their objection because they feel threatened by the tournament.
Gerard Pique, who plays for Barcelona F.C, has dismissed the lack of enthusiasm he has received in recent months from 20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer. The world No.3 has previously hinted that he may no longer play in the team event. Federer has in the past said the week-long finale is for ‘the future generation of players’ and not him. He has also voiced concerns over the decision to play the event at the end of the season after the ATP Finals.
However, Pique believes that Federer’s absence is because he is fully focused on the Laver Cup, which he helped create. The team event takes place shortly after the US Open and involves Europe taking on the rest of the world in a three-day competition. This year was the first time it was given an official place on the ATP calendar.
“I understand his point of view and I want to understand the reasons for it.” Pique said of Federer.
“He has his own competition, the Laver Cup, which has been organised very well, so I understand if he sees the Davis Cup as competition’
“ But we see it as something different because our competition is 119 years old. We respect that he doesn’t want to play in it, but Switzerland hasn’t qualified, and if he qualified then we’d see.”
Federer is still playing this week, but exhibition matches across five countries in South America. Also joining him is Alexander Zverev, a critic of the Davis Cup, and Juan Martin del Potro.
It isn’t just the Swiss Maestro who has voiced his concerns. One of the most vocal countries have been Australia. Who are the second most successful country in Davis Cup history with 28 trophies. In January team captain Lleyton Hewitt described Pique’s rise in the world of tennis as ‘mind-boggling.’ Australia was one of the countries who voted against the Davis Cup revamp at the ITF meeting.
“It’s ridiculous. We’re getting run by a Spanish football player,” Hewitt said.
“That’s like me coming out and making changes to the Champions League. He knows nothing about tennis.
“His group has bought into the ITF and now they’re basically running the ITF and that’s why we see all these Spanish sponsors and a soccer league is now the biggest sponsor of the Davis Cup.”
Responding to the comments he has received from some of the Australian team, Pique also suggested there was an ulterior motive. Saying that their focus is on the ATP Cup, which will launch in the country across three cities at the start of 2020.
“Everyone has their opinion and I respect it.” Pique states. “I play football but I understand what a tennis player needs to be at ease. I also understand that this comes from Australians because their federation organises the ATP tournament and they see the Davis Cup as competition.”
Amid the ongoing arguments’ most players have been relatively upbeat about the Davis Cup this week so far, which is held in the Caja Magica. Although there are concerns about the decision to hold the event at this time of year. Both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have previously called for both the Davis Cup and ATP Cup to join forces in the future. Disputing the chances of the two events co-existing in the future. However, Pique is staying positive.
“It’s not ideal because they end up tired all year.” He admits. “For me to play in the last week of the calendar makes sense. We’ll try to find the best [solution] with ATP but, for now, we’re comfortable.”
There are five top 10 players participating in this year’s event.
