Novak warns of ‘saturation’ over rival team events

LONDON: Novak Djokovic fears staging a revamped Davis Cup Finals and a revived ATP World Team Cup weeks apart could hurt the sport and result in creating two “average” events.

Tennis’s world governing body the ITF was given the green light in August to launch a new Davis Cup format next year, culminating in an 18-nation finals week to be held at the end of November in Madrid.

Several leading players, including Djokovic, have questioned the timing of the ITF’s flagship event, coming at the end of a gruelling 11-month season and Germany’s Alexander Zverev said this week he would not play in the showpiece finals.

The ATP, the governing body of the men’s game, are behind plans for a rival World Team Cup.

The ATP’s competition, to be staged in Australia before the year’s first Grand Slam tournament, will feature 24 teams, offer US$15mil (RM63mil) in prize money and ranking points.

With the ITF and ATP on collision course and both seemingly determined to push ahead with their rival events, Djokovic believes it could end up being damaging for the sport.

“Obviously the Davis Cup and World Team Cup situation is delicate,” Djokovic said on Wednesday.

“We find ourselves in this kind of particular circumstances and situations that we have to deal with right now.

“I think in the next two years we’ll have both events happening in a very similar format if not the same, six weeks apart. I honestly don’t think it’s good for the sport.”

The 118-year-old Davis Cup has been diluted somewhat by leading players like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal picking and choosing when they commit to the event.

Its new format – launched with the backing of investment group Kosmos led by Spanish international footballer Gerard Pique, is designed to raise its profile with Madrid being chosen as the first host city for the 18 competing nations.

Djokovic, who helped Serbia win the title in 2010, is not convinced the two new events can survive.

“I think it’s not sustainable. It will happen that we will have two average events. So I think creating one event is an ideal scenario and I think outcome for everyone,” he said.

“From what I’ve heard from conversations with people from all of the sides, different sides in this sport, they all want to have one event because it’s over-saturated with different cups, different events.

“We have to try to focus on quality rather than quantity.”

Djokovic also voiced frustration with the various governing bodies, including the ATP.

“I think the majority really care about this sport deeply, whoever is involved. Sometimes our differences get in the way,” he said. ”Whether I think the structure of the ATP specifically can be better, I actually do.

“I don’t think it’s working very well, to be honest.”