‘RIP Davis Cup’: Tennis world reacts to tournament’s reform
New rules aimed at revamping one of the oldest tennis tournaments, the Davis Cup, have sparked negative reaction from some professional players and journalists who suggest the competition has been killed by the proposed changes.
The new format, which was approved by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Thursday, would feature 18 nations fighting for the prestigious trophy during a week-long season finale. The competition will be held in November each year, instead of being stretched throughout the season.
The reforms were initiated by the ITF with the support of investment group Kosmos, which is owned by Barcelona star Gerard Pique, who will invest $3 billion into the tournament over 25 years.
From 2019, the competition will see 18 nations and the world’s best players compete in a week-long season finale to be crowned #DavisCup champions.Here’s the new calendar...Find out more: https://t.co/hprNmHUcqgpic.twitter.com/E3POfiZzeF
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) August 16, 2018
The changes were criticized by numerous tennis players and journalists who insisted that the tournament would be destroyed by the reforms.
Crying over two tragic deaths today. Aretha Franklin and @DavisCup .... RIP 🙏
— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) August 16, 2018
Sad day for men’s tennis #ITF have voted for new format of #DavisCup (its no longer Davis Cup) Fooling themselves if they think top players will play a 18 team comp over 1 week at the end of the year???? 🤪
— Pat Cash (@TheRealPatCash) August 16, 2018
Haven’t met one person who was for the @DavisCup changes. A bit like brexit. #moneymoneymoney
— Marcus Willis (@Willbomb90) August 16, 2018
RIP Davis Cup 😔
— Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven) August 16, 2018
Disgraceful. More than a century is shredded for a bastardised competition which will never be Davis Cup.
— Leo Schlink (@LeoSchlink) August 16, 2018
The 118-year-old event is one of the world’s largest international team competitions, with 132 nations taking part in the tournament in 2018.
The world’s best 16 nations were drawn in the World Group, competing in straight knockout games; while the rest of the teams were divided into several groups in accordance with their location and rankings.
Commenting on the matter, ITF President David Haggerty said: “I am delighted that the nations have today voted to secure the long-term status of Davis Cup by BNP Paribas. By voting in favor of these reforms, we will be able to work with Kosmos to realize the huge potential of the competition and elevate it to new standards.”
The first edition of the revamped event is set to take place in Madrid, Spain or Lille, France from November 18-24, with the host city to be announced in the coming weeks.
