The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Rusedski raises doubts over proposed changes
Former British number one Greg Rusedski has hit out at the proposed changes to the Davis Cup.
Tennis associations across the world on Thursday voted for a new World Cupstyle week-long tournament to be played at the end of the season, bringing an end to the traditional home and away format spread throughout the year.
The new tournament, funded by an investment group led by Barcelona’s former Spain international Gerard Pique, will begin in November 2019.
Eighteen countries will be divided into six groups with each qualifying round consisting of three matches – two singles and one doubles – of best-of-three sets.
The top teams from each group and the two highest-scoring runners-up will play the quarter-finals on the Friday, with the semi-finals on Saturday and the final held on Sunday.
The Lawn Tennis Association, the governing body of British tennis, voted against the revamp and Rusedski, who was a stalwart of Great Britain’s Davis Cup team for 12 years, fears it will be a turn-off for players and fans alike.
“There needed to be changes but I’m not a fan of what they’ve proposed,” Rusedski said.
“Guys are always complaining they are tired at the end of the year. So where is it put? Slap bang right after the ATP Finals.
“Rafael Nadal says he wants to shut up shop, Roger Federer says he needs to go on holiday, and they’re going to play five matches back-to-back in a week, the day after the end-of-season championships?
“So the calendar-positioning of it doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. There’s a lot of things they haven’t consulted the players about. The first year they might play but will they play in two, three, four years? I’d be very surprised.
“I know Novak Djokovic and Nadal have been positive about it but Pique is their friend.
“The investment is fantastic news. But is the concept right? I’m not so sure. I’ll miss the home and away ties. You win the Davis Cup at home, or on the road. You’ll lose that environment.
“Are people going to travel to watch for one week in November? Are players going to play? Those are huge question marks. It’s not really the Davis Cup. It’s become a week-long thing now.”
Great Britain are in action in Glasgow next month, in a World Group play-off against Uzbekistan which has now been rendered virtually meaningless.
“Does that actually matter now?” added Rusedski. “With this new format it’s just become an exhibition now.
“Looking at all these proposals there’s no clarity. If the players and people in the sport don’t fully understand it how can it be voted to be agreed upon.
“That’s what dumbfounds me. What have you actually agreed to?”
The US Open will be available on Prime Video from August 27 to September 9.