Footballer Gerard Pique suggests replacing Davis Cup with Tennis World Cup
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has suggested that the Davis Cup should be replaced by a 16-team tennis "World Cup" which would take place over the span of a week at a single location. Tennis stars Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have all voiced their support for the idea.
Gerard Pique might turn out to be an unlikely revolutionary in the field of tennis for his idea of introducing a 16-team World Cup that would replace the ongoing Davis Cup. The Davis Cup format features three-day ties with the best of five set matches rule which is played over sporadic locations on weekends in February, April, September, and November. The format has led to big names forsaking the tournament to concentrate on major individual events.
Pique, who is a sports enthusiast and an active participant in Barcelona's commercial events was in attendance at the Madrid Open this week, met ATP CEO Chris Kermode to discuss his idea. The Spanish footballer believes that the short format of the event and a large prize money would attract both the players and audience to the tennis courts.
Pique's idea was promoted by Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic who put their support behind the idea on Thursday.
"I think that it's a really exciting idea. If it comes off, I think it would be a very, very good thing for tennis," said Murray, reported Reuters.
Andy Murray led the British side to their first Davis Cup title in 79 years in 2015 but has recently missed their last three ties.
"We've exchanged messages," Murray continued after his straight-sets defeat at Madrid Open. "I think there's still a lot of things that need to be worked out before it potentially happens, but I think it would be a very good thing for tennis.Tennis needs an event like that, and I think it would be very good."
Rafael Nadal
"For many years they have been static. They haven't moved with the times or looked for new solutions.Pique is part of a group that wants to create a World Cup that would be a great and very interesting tournament to compete in. It would be a fantastic initiative if it goes through and
Djokovic who has been a constant critic of ITF's policies expressed how heartwarming it was for him to see Pique bolstering for advancement of the game
"To see one of the football greats coming to the tennis world and trying to support it personally, but also in some structural business way, can only bring positives to our sport. We did talk several times." Djokovic started.
"The tennis world is complex if I can
"The schedule is quite complicated, but I'm really glad that there are people like Gerard that are willing to invest the time and energy to make this game better, so hopefully it's going to come to life.", he concluded.
The ITF has scheduled a meeting on August 4 to vote for possible changes to be made in the format for the Davis Cup. The main reform suggested is reducing the singles matches to a best of three affairs rather than a best of five. The panel will also discuss changing the venue for the final to a neutral place.