Davis Cup is (soon to be) dead, long live Davis Cup?

[Tennis_Hands]

Davis Cup has had top 10 players fully committed every year. Just the last rubber the world #3 was there straight out of AO finals to go play on clay.

In 2016 there epic 5 setters of Murray/Nishikori, Del Potro/Murray and Del Potro/Cilic, all which ended up decisive.

The problem with Davis Cup is that it doesn't make enough money. So the organisers just ditch a perfectly good event to show tennis throughout the world for something that makes more money.

Fans are too dumb to look at tennis beyond Fedal
ITF doesn't care about tennis beyond money

It's a perfect marriage.

The relevant question is "How much is enough (money)?"

The answer certainly cannot be: "It is never enough."

There must be an objective, a goal that needs to be achieved in relation to a problem.

For example, if the goal is to draw a younger audience, can it be achieved by making the access to the event more expensive?

Such are the questions that need to be answered, and not whether DC makes "enough" money.

 

[Apun94]

I am all for it. Davis Cup seems like an exho at the moment. No one bothers showing up

 

[van_Loederen]

I would like to make a point that whether something will happen is a multifaceted event ( not only marketing).

Blaming the format of the Davis Cup for supposedly low popularity is a cheap trick to use presented issues to turn the tournament to a more profits driven event, and while that might please the businesses involved I feel that it comes at a steep price for the tennis fans.

Besides, I don't know, if you have been to Davis Cup matches, but they are a lot more visited than most of the tennis tournaments, especially at places that do not host premier events, so there must be something right there.

you fly 4-5 players in for just 5, sometimes even less matches, and often the players are not payed well.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

you fly 4-5 players in for just 5, sometimes even less matches, and often the players are not payed well.

Do you have examples of players complaining that they are not paid well for their participation in DC?

 

[WhiskeyEE]

They should just get rid of it. Why did they ever try to taint an individual sport with some lame high school team format?

If they really want to increase its value, hold it every 4 years like the Olympics and World Cup.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

I am all for it. Davis Cup seems like an exho at the moment. No one bothers showing up

What do you mean?

 

[Sixpointone]

One question I wonder on, is if this idea goes through and is a success, will that change the format for the Fed Cup as well.

 

[kOaMaster]

Nadal won it 4 times. Djokovic played it after he won it. Murray was balls deep in Davis Cup as recently as 2016, he only missed the tie between Wimbledon and the Olympics. The Suisse dudes are the only ones that have abandoned it totally after winning it once.

Oh come one, Djokovic played 5 matches since 2013 (final DC, won it in 2010), Federer 2 since 2014 (won). Wawrinka 1 since 2014 (won), Nadal 2 since 2011 (won).

Not that much of a difference I'd say? Plus, Federer & Wawrinka showed up to prevent Switzerland from relegation. That certainly wouldn't happen to Spain (they are good enough to win it without Nadal, almost happened in 2012).

 

[van_Loederen]

Do you have examples of players complaining that they are not paid well for their participation in DC?

i think you can imagine that they would not admit it, as they are supposed to play "for their country" or even to "give something back".
what they do instead is turning their backs at the event, sometimes citing injury.

it's not just that. in order to judge the overall loss in profit we also have to add the tournaments that could take place during these 3 DC weeks.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

i think you can imagine that they would not admit it, as they are supposed to play "for their country" or even to "give something back".
what they do instead is turning their backs at the event, sometimes citing injury.

it's not just that. in order to judge the overall loss in profit we also have to add the tournaments that could take place during these 3 DC weeks.

So, you cannot support your statement concerning this particular reason?

Good.

Let's try this with your other statement: where is the guarantee that those players will make more profit?

For all we know they could be injured at the time when the whole shebang happens. Or not get a place on the DC team at all. Or get eliminated early, thus forfeiting all their potential earnings, if they advanced in other format.

Where are the calculations that support your stance?

 

[van_Loederen]

So, you cannot support your statement concerning this particular reason?

it's wellknown.
or what are the problems of the DC ?

where is the guarantee that those players will make more profit? [...]

um, 3 extra weeks, 6-9 extra tourneys... how to make not more profit there?

 

[Tennis_Hands]

it's wellknown.
or what are the problems of the DC ?


um, 3 extra weeks, 6-9 extra tourneys... how to make not more profit there?

It is not a "well known".

In fact, don't we have an example, where a top player axed the Olympics because he considered them not worth it due to the absence of ranking points?

It is a somewhat similar situation.

How are 3 extra weeks worth "6-9 extra tourneys" exactly?

Also, are you talking about a proposal we know nothing about?

Because I know only about a proposal, some of the downsides of relying on financial gains for the players from which I just outlined.

 

[van_Loederen]

It is not a "well known".

so what are the problems of the DC according to you?

why do they intend all these changes?

In fact, don't we have an example, where a top player axed the Olympics because he considered them not worth it due to the absence of ranking points?

It is a somewhat similar situation.

i see. and what's your point?
(the Olympics are also one compact event.)

How are 3 extra weeks worth "6-9 extra tourneys" exactly?

by adding 2-3 ATP250s per week. or what you think they'll be using the vacant calendar slots for?

 

[Tennis_Hands]

so what are the problems of the DC according to you?

why do they intend all these changes?


i see. and what's your point?
(the Olympics are also one compact event.)


by adding 2-3 ATP250s per week. or what you think they'll be using the vacant calendar slots for?

That is a good question, but I don’t think that the format is one of them.

My point is, if the players see problems interfering with representing their country they say so.

Also, what does the fact that it is a compact event has to do with anything?

If anything, when it is a compact event such actions become more noticeable, since it is also much longer and more defined.

Yes, but a player can participate in only one of those at any given time, so that makes 3 at most, and let's consider the reality for a second.

What top player plays 3 ATP 250s in addition to the already loaded season (unless he is not the brainless Thiem, of course)?

 

[van_Loederen]

That is a good question, but I don’t think that the format is one of them.

are you kidding me?

My point is, if the players see problems interfering with representing their country they say so.

and why do they stay away from the DC according to you?

what does the fact that it is a compact event has to do with anything?
If anything, when it is a compact event such actions become more noticeable, since it is also much longer and more defined.

i probably did not get your whole point with that comparison in the first place.
("one player staying away from the Olympics" or what you mentioned)

Yes, but a player can participate in only one of those at any given time, so that makes 3 at most, and let's consider the reality for a second.
What top player plays 3 ATP 250s in addition to the already loaded season (unless he is not the brainless Thiem, of course)?

the whole issue is not just about the top10 or so players.
the ATP's and ITF's goal is to optimize conditions for the entire sport. we are talking about an overall profit/marketing volume (or how it's called).

 

[Tennis_Hands]

are you kidding me?

and why do they stay away from the DC according to you?

i probably did not get your whole point with that comparison in the first place.
("one player staying away from the Olympics" or what you mentioned)


the whole issue is not just about the top10 or so players.
the ATP's and ITF's goal is to optimize conditions for the entire sport. we are talking about an overall profit/marketing volume (or how it's called).

What exactly made you think that I am kidding you?

I have been to several DC ties and all of them were well attended and the people were enjoying the event.

That (to me) doesn't point at a problem with the format per se.

My guess is that many players that miss the event do it because either there is no point (because there are enough players to represent the country) or because of purely selfish reasons, that more often than not have nothing to do with the event itself, but with whatever goals they are having) and this cannot be resolved with luring them only with money.

How much did the money of the Dubai organisers accomplish this year?

I don't get it.

Do you have exact figures that show what you are talking about?

You seem terribly convinced that the existence in the current format contributes to less volume.

How is the proposed format going to change that?

And, sorry to say this, but isn't it a contradiction that you are saying that it is not only about the top players, yet your complaint about the top players not participating is one of the reasons to change it.

I think it is rather obvious that in a compact format a lot less lower ranked players will have the chance to play, especially if the whole thing succeeds to attract the top players either by tempting them or by making this thing obligatory.

 

[van_Loederen]

My guess is that many players that miss the event do it because either there is no point (because there are enough players to represent the country) or because of purely selfish reasons, that more often than not have nothing to do with the event itself, but with whatever goals they are having) and this cannot be resolved with luring them only with money.

has nothing to do with it stealing 4 weeks and not with the payment either?
and the frequency is... coincidence?

I have been to several DC ties and all of them were well attended and the people were enjoying the event.

it's only 4-5 matches per "event".

isn't a contradiction that you are saying that it is not only about the top players, yet your complaint about the top players not participating is one of the reasons to change it.

no contradiction (as it's only one of the reasons). the DC events are generally not very lucrative, i would assume.

I think it is rather obvious that in a compact format a lot less lower ranked players will have the chance to play, especially if the whole thing succeeds to attract the top players either by tempting them or by making this thing obligatory.

the lower ranked can play elsewhere meantime.
and lower ranked players don't win the organisers much money anyway.

How much did the money of the Dubai organisers accomplish this year?
Do you have exact figures that show what you are talking about?

poster Octa... posted an article about that in the Dubai thread.
the organizers were planning with Djokovic and Murray and hoping for Fed, but all 3 jumped off.
but this is a farfetched attempt of you anyway. as money does usually accomplish something, no?

 

[Tennis_Hands]

All of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray, plus a lot more top players seemed very pleased to be part of this, so I am not exactly sure what you mean by all this business with the 4 weeks etc.

I also don't understand when you say "it is only 4, 5 matches per event".

Most people are happy with the quantity as those events are combined with other activities, so it gives enough chance to watch tennis without being too much.

What is the problem with the matches being 4-5?

It is a contradiction as far as your claim about broader accessibility for more players is concerned. The number will be limited by the participating top players.

You now concede that the lower ranked players will be booted, so that means that only/mostly the top guys will get access to the more money, so it's all fodder in order for businesses to make more money via the top guys.

The Dubai example was only to show you that if the tournament itself interferes with other personal goals, it can get quite ugly quite quickly.

For example, I don't see many top players being overly happy with messing with their off season or with their time to prepare for Majors, and while in the current format the DC gives them the chance to pick their battles ( Nadal plays DC mainly in Spain and mainly on clay when they are visiting) such tournament will not allow for such luxury.

 

[Fedforever]

Player comment:

http://sport360.com/video/tennis/26...posed-changes-are-death-sentence-to-davis-cup

 

[Rainalkar]

Tell this to NHL officials, they're also stupid?

There is no comparison between hockey and tennis in terms of coverage and geographical scope, as there is no comparison between a national league (albeit by far the strongest) and a worldwide competition. In addition, marketing is far less potent (What did you win? Davis Cup / World Championship).

 

[Rainalkar]

This one too - it’s sort of important for the basketball universe.

Similarly as for hockey, although basketball is played (far) more widely. Still, it is in essence an American sport, while tennis is no longer an American/British/Australian/French sport since a long time ago.

 

[Rainalkar]

It originally was http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/collections_detail/jules-rimet-world-cup-trophy-1966

It evolved to become greater.

 

[Rainalkar]

Don't get me wrong, I am not commenting format changes, I have my doubts. Just the name of the competition (the trophy can still be named Davis Cup).

 

[van_Loederen]

All of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray, plus a lot more top players seemed very pleased to be part of this, so I am not exactly sure what you mean by all this business with the 4 weeks etc.

I also don't understand when you say "it is only 4, 5 matches per event".

Most people are happy with the quantity as those events are combined with other activities, so it gives enough chance to watch tennis without being too much.

What is the problem with the matches being 4-5?

It is a contradiction as far as your claim about broader accessibility for more players is concerned. The number will be limited by the participating top players.

You now concede that the lower ranked players will be booted, so that means that only/mostly the top guys will get access to the more money, so it's all fodder in order for businesses to make more money via the top guys.

The Dubai example was only to show you that if the tournament itself interferes with other personal goals, it can get quite ugly quite quickly.

For example, I don't see many top players being overly happy with messing with their off season or with their time to prepare for Majors, and while in the current format the DC gives them the chance to pick their battles ( Nadal plays DC mainly in Spain and mainly on clay when they are visiting) such tournament will not allow for such luxury.

you mean that the few times they participated, they were very pleased to be part of it?

just 4-5 matches means that it's no big events. not very lucrative.

it is not just about broader accessibility for more players, but also about paying them and attracting spectators.
top players in tournaments attract spectators and (many) lower ranked players benefit from that.
and the host cities of the new DC Final Cup event will certainly pay some "fees" to the ITF, which distributes it to the federations.

the calendar slot after the YEC seems smart to me. as said, players will likely treat it like a semi-exho, like Laver cup. i expect many top players to come.

and those 3 vacant calendar positions are not bad, not worse than many others, and would certainly attract enough top players for ATP250 standards.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

you mean that the few times they participated, they were very pleased to be part of it?

just 4-5 matches means that it's no big events. not very lucrative.

it is not just about broader accessibility for more players, but also about paying them and attracting spectators.
top players in tournaments attract spectators and (many) lower ranked players benefit from that.
and the host cities of the new DC Final Cup event will certainly pay some "fees" to the ITF, which distributes it to the federations.

the calendar slot after the YEC seems smart to me. as said, players will likely treat it like a semi-exho, like Laver cup. i expect many top players to come.

and those 3 vacant calendar positions are not bad, not worse than many others, and would certainly attract enough top players for ATP250 standards.

Ummm.

Federer has 70 matches spanning 15 years.

Murray has 47 matches in 11 years.

Djokovic has 44 matches in 13 years

Nadal 32 matches in 9 years.

Few times?

I don't think so.

Again, not very lucrative, but how about the tennis fans?

You cannot "pay them" by "them" meaning the lower ranked players, if they do not participate.

And noone is stopping anyone from playing as many ATP 250 as they like, regardless of the time slot.

It is much more likely that a player suffers from overloaded schedule than from not having enough opportunities to play (at least when it comes to the top 200 players).

And if the tournament is treated as an exo, that is already a disaster for the real tennis, as a tournament with tradition and importance will be replaced by a money making circus.

This argument really puts your whole stance in a very bad position, as it concedes that it is not about tennis, but about making money at the expense of tennis.

 

[van_Loederen]

This argument really puts your whole stance in a very bad position, as it concedes that it is not about tennis, but about making money at the expense of tennis.

it is not my stance. i'm just trying to understand what's going on.
i'm not patriotic and have no love for the DC, but i don't hate it either.

You cannot "pay them" by "them" meaning the lower ranked players, if they do not participate.

T_H, discussing the financial side with you is getting cumbersome.
let me summarise my impression:
ATP+ITF seriously intending such radical changes pretty much proves to me that the old format's overall marketing volume is deemed clearly smaller than what that new scheduling system would yield overall (the sport as a whole).

And noone is stopping anyone from playing as many ATP 250 as they like, regardless of the time slot.
It is much more likely that a player suffers from overloaded schedule than from not having enough opportunities to play (at least when it comes to the top 200 players).

you really believe that there won't be enough "room" for 9 more ATP250s for such reasons?

but how about the tennis fans?

they will watch the ATP250s instead.

Ummm.
Federer has 70 matches spanning 15 years.
Murray has 47 matches in 11 years.
Djokovic has 44 matches in 13 years
Nadal 32 matches in 9 years.
Few times?
I don't think so.

impressive. so there is actually no problem, i guess. just some selfish behaviour, unrelated to time consumption and payment.

And if the tournament is treated as an exo, that is already a disaster for the real tennis, as a tournament with tradition and importance will be replaced by a money making circus.

as said, most people won't realize it.

i've seen players cheering for "the rest of the world", mate.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

it is not my stance. i'm just trying to understand what's going on.
i'm not patriotic and have no love for the DC, but i don't hate it either.


T_H, discussing the financial side with you is getting cumbersome.
let me summarise my impression:
ATP+ITF seriously intending such radical changes pretty much proves to me that the old format's overall marketing volume is deemed clearly smaller than what that new scheduling system would yield overall (the sport as a whole).


you really believe that there won't be enough "room" for 9 more ATP250s for such reasons?


they will watch the ATP250s instead.


impressive. so there is actually no problem, i guess. just some selfish behaviour, unrelated to time consumption and payment.


as said, most people won't realize it.

i've seen players cheering for "the rest of the world", mate.

I think that I am going to stop engaging at this point.

You concede that you are indifferent towards the event, see the change as a thing to do money instead of tennis, make specious claims about financial and volume gains you have no information about, and constantly provide statements that are either a wild speculation or just untrue.

On top of that you seem to think that those interested in the event are stupid (yeah, noone realises what the difference between an exo and a DC match is ) and have a pretty shallow understanding of what the players that play such events see in them.

Instead there is a lot of condescension towards facts and hardly any effort for any logical interpretation of those on your part.

 

[van_Loederen]

You concede that you are indifferent towards the event

it's not just about this event, but about the ATP schedule.

[you] see the change as a thing to do money instead of tennis

ATP250 events are tennis.

[you] make specious claims about financial and volume gains you have no information about, and constantly provide statements that are either a wild speculation or just untrue. [...]
there is a lot of condescension towards facts and hardly any effort for any logical interpretation of those on your part.

my decutions are very logical and of course is the financial aspect of greatest relevance.
but you, you seem to not have an explanation for why these changes are planned, no?
you just disagree.

On top of that you seem to think that those interested in the event are stupid (yeah, noone realises what the difference between an exo and a DC match is )

i was a bit cynical there. the players will put some effort into it, i'm sure.
but even if you don't like it, the event being scheduled at the end of the season might be a relief for them.

and have a pretty shallow understanding of what the players that play such events see in
them.

no, you have that shallow understanding. in reality most of them are not as patriotic as you are.
the DC is emotional once they decide to play it, but overall it's rather a liability in the 21th century.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

.....

 

[van_Loederen]

i would actually guess that they will shorten the season by one week with that change.
apparently not yet in 2019, but maybe in 2020.

 

[BorgCash]

There is no comparison between hockey and tennis in terms of coverage and geographical scope, as there is no comparison between a national league (albeit by far the strongest) and a worldwide competition. In addition, marketing is far less potent (What did you win? Davis Cup / World Championship).

It's not a comparison between tennis, hockey or football. It's an old tradition to name big sports cometition after some famous person.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

R.I.P DC

They shouldn't associate this new event with the Davis Cup. They should just retire the Davis Cup and call this new shortened event something else like the YEAR END NATIONS CUP or something.

edit: I just heard this will be called "The world Cup of Tennis Finals".

 

[Rainalkar]

It's not a comparison between tennis, hockey or football. It's an old tradition to name big sports cometition after some famous person.

Full respect. But very few outside the tennis world can grasp the meaning of a "Davis Cup". Still, there are exceptions - Roland Garros pops to mind, but it is an Internationaux de France de tennis, inherently linked with France. Davis Cup is not, or at least, it aims not to be linked to any country.

 

[accidental]

From a revenue point of view I can't fathom how this could possibly be a positive for the ITF as an organisation.

Instead of having dozens of weekend long events all over the world for the Davis cup, with tv audiences, 10k or so in attendance at each, they are going to have one single event, and hope that this jumped up 250 style event in Singapore will make more money?

If it's not even called the Davis cup why would anyone play? In what way is this different to the failure of a tournament that was the World Team cup?

Why are they taking advice from gerard Pique of all people? A soccer player who probably didn't even finish high school, let alone having any kind of business acumen

Just lmao at how ridiculous this is

 

[Apun94]

What do you mean?

What i meant was that i am all for a week long 'World Cup' sort of event, rather than the exo that is Davis Cup these days

 

[Bartelby]

It's probably called sharing. The ITF will hoover up directly most of the money. The older format has a lot of 'distribution' built into it from the ground up.

From a revenue point of view I can't fathom how this could possibly be a positive for the ITF as an organisation.

Instead of having dozens of weekend long events all over the world for the Davis cup, with tv audiences, 10k or so in attendance at each, they are going to have one single event, and hope that this jumped up 250 style event in Singapore will make more money?

If it's not even called the Davis cup why would anyone play? In what way is this different to the failure of a tournament that was the World Team cup?

Why are they taking advice from gerard Pique of all people? A soccer player who probably didn't even finish high school, let alone having any kind of business acumen

Just lmao at how ridiculous this is

 

[Deleted member 3771]

Player comment:

http://sport360.com/video/tennis/26...posed-changes-are-death-sentence-to-davis-cup

Pouille said it. It's no longer the Davis cup. It's the world team cup or something else, not the DC.

 

[Mr Feeny]

Obsessed much?

He can't be any more obsessed than you are with Federer, tbf.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Terrible idea.

 

[Fedforever]

More opposition:

https://twitter.com/TLSfrance3tv/status/968577052709392384

 

[van_Loederen]

From a revenue point of view I can't fathom how this could possibly be a positive for the ITF as an organisation.

Instead of having dozens of weekend long events all over the world for the Davis cup, with tv audiences, 10k or so in attendance at each, they are going to have one single event, and hope that this jumped up 250 style event in Singapore will make more money?

i don't know how lucrative the traditional DC format is, but i guess it's not rosy, else they would keep it.
anyway, i doubt that they expect that single event to yield more money overall, but take into account the events (ATP tournaments) that can be staged during the 3 vacant weeks.
it's an agreement between ATP and ITF, and the latter may be compensated financially.

In what way is this different to the failure of a tournament that was the World Team cup?

in the way that it will get a muuuch better calendar position
and it will be the only such national competition. no rival.

Why are they taking advice from gerard Pique of all people? A soccer player who probably didn't even finish high school, let alone having any kind of business acumen

they are probably rather just citing him as it was his idea or so,
but this is no ad-hoc decision for sure (even though it's a very radical one).

If it's not even called the Davis cup why would anyone play?

you misunderstood that, but even if... i just imagine someone saying: "i won't play as it's not called 'Davis cup'."

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

so only the world group format would be changing... the recent switch to bo3 matches in groups I and II was a in factmachiavelian prequel to this whole plan.

ITF ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR TRANSFORMATION OF DAVIS CUP
26 Feb 2018


The ITF today announced plans for a 25-year, $3 billion partnership with investment group Kosmos that will transform Davis Cup by BNP Paribas and generate substantial revenues for global tennis development.

The ITF Board of Directors unanimously endorsed a proposal to create a major new annual season-ending World Cup of Tennis Finals that will crown the Davis Cup champions. Featuring 18 nations and played over one week in a world-class location in November, the event will be staged by Kosmos in partnership with the ITF.

Gerard Piqué, the Spain and FC Barcelona football star, is the founder and President of Kosmos. The group is backed by Hiroshi Mikitani, the Chairman and CEO of Rakuten, the Tokyo-based e-commerce company.

The investment from Kosmos will include significant increases in prize money for players and ITF member nations, and the funding of grass roots projects and other tennis development programmes.

The proposal is subject to further development, and the successful completion of due diligence and finalisation of a formal agreement.

ITF President David Haggerty said: “This is a complete game-changer for the ITF and for tennis. Our Board has supported a bold and ambitious plan for the future of Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, one of the sport’s most cherished and important events and a key cornerstone in our ITF2024 strategy.

“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.

“This new partnership will not only create a true World Cup of Tennis, but will also unlock record levels of new investment for future generations of tennis players and fans around the world.”

Several world-class cities have already expressed interest in hosting the new event, and the ITF and Kosmos will continue discussions with a view to launching the Finals in 2019.

The plans will be submitted to the ITF Annual General Meeting, to be held in August in Orlando, Florida. A two-thirds majority will be required for final approval.

Gerard Piqué said: “Kosmos is thrilled to join in this exciting partnership with the ITF. Together we can elevate Davis Cup by BNP Paribas to new heights by putting on a must-see World Cup of Tennis Finals featuring the top nations and top players. Kosmos will also invest $3 billion over 25 years into tennis that will help develop the game worldwide.”

Under the plans, the World Cup of Tennis Finals will be played over seven days in November in the traditional week of the Davis Cup Final. The Finals will feature a round-robin format followed by a quarterfinal knockout stage. Each tie will consist of two singles and one doubles over best-of-three sets. The 16 World Group nations will automatically qualify for the Finals, and a further two nations will be selected.

There will also be a play-off round held during the Finals which will include the eight nations that qualify from the Zone Group I events. The eight play-off winners will earn a place in the following year’s Finals.

There will be no change to the format of zone group competition. In Zone Groups I and II, home-and-away ties will continue to be played during the traditional three weeks in the calendar. Zone Groups III and IV will continue to consist of week-long round-robin events.

Further details will be announced in due course.

from: https://www.daviscup.com/en/news/281841.aspx

"The 16 World Group nations will automatically qualify for the Finals, and a further two nations will be selected."

uh oh... how ?

 

[van_Loederen]

so only the world group format would be changing...

the group below too. there will be a qualifying tournament, if i gathered it right.

"The 16 World Group nations will automatically qualify for the Finals, and a further two nations will be selected."
uh oh... how ?

erm, probably simply like wildcards? maybe one chosen by the host city and the other by the ITF.
it's also only for the inaugural edition (i'd guess). to switch from 16 to 18. the qualification process will be slightly different thereafter.

 

[Fedforever]

It's getting hard to keep up but some more opposition:

https://twitter.com/lleytonhewitt/status/968690752128716800

https://as.com/tenis/2018/02/27/copa_davis/1519772208_557219.amp.html?__twitter_impression=true

https://twitter.com/danielvallverdu/status/968843806308225027

https://twitter.com/KYevgeni/status/968842252419305472

 

[kevaninho]

He can't be any more obsessed than you are with Federer, tbf.

Not sure I go on and mention Federer every post actually

 

[Fedforever]

But the Swiss approve:

http://www.20min.ch/ro/sports/tennis/story/La-Suisse-soutient-la-nouvelle-Coupe-Davis-27913233

 

[LotusTang]

So the ATP Player's Council will not be getting a say?

 

[EloQuent]

So the ATP Player's Council will not be getting a say?

Davis Cup is ITF, not ATP.

 

[LotusTang]

Davis Cup is ITF, not ATP.

I'm aware of that. However Players only currently represent themselves through the ATP.
For something this drastic, I would think some direct input from the players would be welcome.

Didn't they also lobby for prize increase at Slams? Those are also ITF events.

 

[sureshs]

Davis Cup is irritating, with fake camaraderie and irritating fans making loud noises with the sticks or whatever they use. It maybe of some ego-boosting value to countries which have so many problems that pseudo-patriotism is the only thing left. Also forces the federations to shell out money for tennis which would otherwise go to soccer or cricket. But from a viewer's perspective, it is an irritating spectacle.