[Obgrfbke]

ITF Statement – in response to reports regarding World Cup tennis proposal


Davis Cup has been a leading competition for over 110 years. Over its history, Davis Cup has seen many changes in the structure of tennis, some very significant like the move to professionalism in 1968 and the founding of the professional tours in the 1970s. While Davis Cup has evolved and modernised over the years, it has not lost its intrinsic values based around the home and away format that attracts great support from fans, sponsors, television and the players themselves who enjoy playing in front of their home country fans. At the same time, Davis Cup remains true to the ITF’s mission to grow tennis around the world by providing a mechanism for our nations to develop players, including many of the today’s top players, in their individual countries.

This proposal, also shown to the ITF, has some interesting elements and, of course, timely branding, given the current worldwide fascination with the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It also has many challenges that must be faced if it is to succeed. Everyone is in agreement that a nation vs nation format is very attractive, something Davis Cup has recognized for over a century, and only time will tell if a new competition can earn a regular place in the tennis calendar. It should also be noted that, last year, following a request by the top players for an amended schedule, the ITF signed a five-year agreement with the ATP World Tour guaranteeing dates and ranking points.

Davis Cup by BNP Paribas continues to deliver a top quality product for our sponsors and our nations and offers the rare opportunity for players to compete for their countries and their national federations as part of a team in what is usually an individual sport.

[#[SoftAzerZx]]

Via Jon W., here's a somewhat longer article.

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/tenni...0113-m6wh.html

[blogwado]

It sounds like an interesting format, but i just don't think we need another event like this. They'd be better off altering the name of the Davis Cup to something like "Davis Cup: The World Cup of Tennis" than adding a competing event.

[bobibnoxx]

As a World Team Tennis-type event, this would be fun. As a substitute to Davis Cup, I hate it.

[JAMES PIETERSE]

It sounds like an interesting format, but i just don't think we need another event like this. They'd be better off altering the name of the Davis Cup to something like "Davis Cup: The World Cup of Tennis" than adding a competing event.

I agree, but they'll have to alter more than the name. The players supporting this new event aren't willing to preserve Davis Cup's demanding schedule.

[Glanteeignile]

A bit harsh perhaps, but to the point: http://tennisworld.typepad.com/tenni...davis-cup.html

[beloveds]

An plan to introduce tennis's first World Cup is to be considered by the top male players, reports the Times.

In an attempt to attract younger fans, the biennial 10-day event, involving 32 teams, would feature shorter matches during which players have to watch the clock between points — and, most striking of all, compulsory mid-match substitutions.

Although the format is in its early stages of development, it has already been presented to tennis administrators and television companies, who believe that a men-only competition would attract a bigger audience.

Such a move could do serious damage to the popularity and credibility of the Davis Cup.

Britain's Andy Murray has welcomed the idea, provided that the World Cup did not become an extra event on the men's tour.

"I am a great fan of the Davis Cup, but if a decision was taken to drop it, or something else could change in the calendar, then a World Cup is a fascinating idea," said Murray.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010...nnis-world-cup