The driving force behind the newly revamped Davis Cup are now pressing ahead with another idea to create a multi-million dollar 64-player event, according to The Telegraph.
Kosmos is set to unveil the Majesty Cup in the near future. An exhibition event that is scheduled to take place a week after the US Open. Although it is currently unknown as to where the location will be. The format will be similar to any other tournament, except no ranking points will be available and only the champion takes home the prize money. Which is set to be $10 million invested by Kosmos.
Details about the event are limited, but it has been previously mentioned by ITF president David Haggerty. During an interview with The New York Times, he said that the ITF wanted to create ‘two new properties’ in the sport.
“A significant proportion of Kosmos’ funding is to be invested into the transformation of the Davis Cup. There is a substantial investment into the development of national associations and wheelchair tennis.” Haggerty said.
“The remainder will be invested into two brand new properties: a mixed team event in April and a winner-takes-all event in September. The precise details of these events will be released in due course.”
The reports about the new initiative occurred on the eve of the Laver Cup. A team event that features Europe against the rest of the world. Should Kosmos’ exhibition get underway, there is a chance that it may clash with the event, which takes place in September. Roger Federer, who is one of the key figures of the Laver Cup, had previously said that he wanted to speak with Kosmos about the scheduling of their events. Kosmos is owned by footballer Gerard Pique.
“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.
In recent weeks there was talk about the finals of the Davis Cup being moved earlier in the year from November. Although with the new Majesty Cup, this now throws that idea into doubt. From 2019 the Davis Cup finals will take place over a week and feature 18 teams taking part.
There has been no comment from Kosmos concerning The Telegraph’s report.
