Davis Cup matches will remain best-of-five sets after the ITF failed to generate enough support for the change at their AGM meeting at Ho Chi Minh City.
Earlier this year ITF president David Haggerty and the board of directors backed plans to reduce the length of men’s matches in a bid to revamp the competition. Haggerty has been been vocal in the shortening of matches, arguing that ‘change is needed to ensure that we maximise their full potential.’
Despire Haggerty’s attempt, the motion has been voted down in Friday’s AGM meeting in Vietnam. Under current rules, a motion needs two-thirds of the votes in order for it to be approved. The proposal fell just short with 64.54% support.
“We respect the decision of the AGM but are disappointed that our member nations have not approved the full package of Davis Cup and Fed Cup reforms endorsed by the ITF Board,” ITF president David Haggerty said in a statement.
“Change is needed to ensure the long-term future of these iconic and historic competitions, and we remain committed to working with our national associations and other stakeholders on finding ways to enhance Davis Cup and Fed Cup.”
The AGM did approval other plans submitted by the ITF. Finalists in both the Davis Cup and Fed Cup will be allowed to have the choice of hosting their first round ties the following year. Also, match court availability and practice court requirements will be reduced to lower costs for national associations.
Last month the ITF delayed their plans for a ‘world cup of tennis finals.’ The governing body wants to host both the Davis and Fed cup finals at the same venue during the same week. They postponed the idea in order to get more support before it is submitted for voting at the annual AGM.
“We promised change and are already delivering change with a significant series of reforms,” said Haggerty. “Taking another year to build consensus around the World Cup of Tennis Finals will allow us to finalize an even stronger recommendation to the AGM.”
An unpopular idea
The ITF has previously been criticised by players for the proposed plans. Jamie Murray once said that the body are ignoring players to push ahead with their own agenda. Meanwhile, Bruno Soares has publicly accused the ITF of ‘trying to kill’ the competition.
12-time grand slam champion Roy Emerson recently spoke out against the idea of shortening Davis Cup matches. According to The Australian, he personally told Haggerty that it would a ‘f** up the competition.”
“Well, if you’re looking for a way to really f..k up the Davis Cup, you’ve found it.”Emerson allegedly said.
John Newcombe supports Emerson’s comments. The 73-year-old said reducing matches to best-of-three sets would have ‘finished’ the Davis Cup.
“I look back at tennis history and some of the most magnificent matches we have ever seen, some of the true epics, have been five-setters in Davis Cup,” Newcombe said.
This year is the 117th anniversary of the men’s team tournament.
