PIQUE’S FIRM TO PUMP $3BN INTO DAVIS CUP

LONDON: A massive shake-up of the Davis Cup competition will see the formation of an 18-nation World Cup of Tennis Finals, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Monday.

The event played in one location over seven days in November could start next year, pending approval by the ITF Board.

In a statement outlining a 25-year, $3 billion partnership with investment group Kosmos, whose founder and president is Barcelona and Spain football player Gerard Pique, ITF President David Haggerty said it would be a game-changer for tennis. “Our vision is to create a major season-ending finale that will be a festival of tennis and entertainment, featuring the world’s greatest players representing their nations to decide the Davis Cup champions,” he said.

The new event represents a huge revamp for the Davis Cup which has been in existence since 1900 but has suffered in recent years with top players not turning out for their nations.

World number one Roger Federer has not played for Switzerland since 2015 while Rafael Nadal has only played one doubles rubber for Spain in the past two years.

RAMKUMAR ACHIEVES CAREER-BEST RANK

NEW DELHI: Ramkumar Ramanthan achieved his career-best ranking of 133rd position after jumping seven places even as top ranked tennis player Yuki Bhambri dropped four places to 105.

THE NEW EVENT REPRESENTS A HUGE REVAMP FOR THE DAVIS CUP WHICH HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE 1900