TENNIS

authorities have been taking flak for developing new men’s team events while seemingly failing to do anything for the women’s game. But there are finally signs of action with a serious Fed Cup revamp in the works. The plan being discussed is to create a play-off round next year involving 16 nations competing to find eight qualifiers for a finals week in one city, possibly in Asia around October. The victorious eight nations would be joined by the previous year’s champions and runners-up, plus two wildcards, leaving 12 nations to compete for the title. The proposal has hefty support and would simplify the unfathomable current system of two World Groups.