Federer: Don’t let Davis Cup turn into Pique Cup

ROGER FEDERER has warned Barcelona star Gerard Pique to butt out of tennis over his role in the radical new Davis Cup format.

Spain defender Pique’s group Kosmos are behind changes which will turn the team event into a week-long World Cup-style competition.

He was even given time off by his club to attend the International Tennis Federation’s AGM in Orlando where proposals for the new Davis Cup were agreed.

The new-look tournament would include one round of home and away matches in February followed by a week-long event with 18 participating nations.

Pique said recently the final stage could take place in September rather than November and cause a potential clash with the Laver Cup, a competition organised by Federer and his Team8 management group.

Federer – who eased past Yoshihito Nishioka 6-2 6-2 6-4 in the US Open first round – said: “I have not spoken to Gerard yet but it’s odd to see a footballer meddle in the tennis business.

“Be careful – the Davis Cup should not become the Pique Cup. I am for innovations.

“But it’s a bit like in a part of Jenga, you have to be careful not to remove the room that will bring down the whole building.

“The good part of all this confusion is everyone will have to sit around one table and listen to the other’s desires – the ITF, the ATP, the Laver Cup.”