Australian team captain Lleyton Hewitt has launched a new attack on the Davis Cup by branding it ‘ridiculous’ to schedule ties so close to the conclusion of the US Open.
Australia secured their place in the quarter-finals of the team competition despite losing 2-1 to Spain on Sunday. Earlier in the week, they scored wins over Czechia and France in their group to finish in second place. The team took part without their No.1 player Alex de Minaur who failed to recover in time from his run to the quarter-finals of the US Open. Meanwhile, doubles player Max Purcell did participate but was said to be feeling the effects of his title triumph in New York.
Hewitt believes the short turnaround between these events affected his team with the former world No.1 blasting the current calendar.
“We’ve had a few guys this week pretty banged up – and it’s only really our locker room knows that. It would have been very easy for a few of my boys to not turn up this week, but they’ve come and they put on the green and gold, and done absolutely everything I’ve asked of them. I’m super proud,” said Hewitt.
“To try and ask players to play the second day after a grand slam finishes, it’s not easy.
“In the old (weekend only) format, I used to have to do it, but you’d at least have until the Friday before you had to play. Now to play on Tuesday, it’s ridiculous.”
Under the current format, 16 nations compete in the Davis Cup Finals group stage with teams split into four groups of four. This year the group stages were held in Bologna (Italy) at the Unipol Arena, Valencia (Spain) at the Pavelló Municipal Font de Sant Lluís, Zhuhai (China) at the Hengqin Tennis Center and Manchester (United Kingdom) at the Manchester Arena. The top two teams in each group then progress to the knockout stages.
However, one drawback of the format is the possibility of dead rubbers which happened between Australia and Spain. This is when the outcome of the tie has no impact on the group standings.
“That’s the stupid part of this format, isn’t it? You know, I can keep saying it,” Hewitt commented. “But the format is what it is, and we’ll do what we need to do to get through and give ourselves a chance of hopefully holding up the trophy.”
French sports newspaper L’Equipe has reported that the International Tennis Federation is contemplating bringing back home and away ties for the last 16 stage next year. However, this has not been officially confirmed and more clarity on the matter should be given next month when the ITF holds their AGM meeting.
Who has qualified for the 2024 Davis Cup knockout stages?
- Australia
- Italy
- Argentina
- USA
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Spain
- Canada
The knockout stages will be held at the Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena in Malaga between 19–24 November 2024.
