The proposed World Cup of tennis in one week is a “horrible idea” since it will take away the charm of home and away ties which allows countries like India to host players such as Rafael Nadal, contends former India captain Anand Amritraj.
The ITF Board of Directors unanimously endorsed the proposal to create a season-ending World Cup of Tennis finals featuring 18 nations. The matches will be played over a week at a single venue in the traditional week of Davis Cup final in November.
The idea will be put to vote at ITF AGM in August in Orlando and needs two-third majority to become a reality.
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“The World Cup of Tennis in the proposed one week format is a horrible idea. If this is being floated by ITF President Dave Haggerty to keep the top players happy, as well as for some financial gain, that’s even worse,” Amritraj said.
Among active international stars, Lleyton Hewitt has criticised the idea by saying that the ITF is trying to “kill off” home and away ties, five-set tennis and the “unbelievable atmosphere” the event generates.
Anand, who was part of the Indian Davis Cup team that reached the final in 1974, said the tournament is bigger than players and should not be diluted.
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“The Davis Cup, and tennis in general, is much bigger than a few legends, who, like the greats before them, will soon be gone. To change a 118-year-old format so drastically is such a bad move.
“The whole charm of the Davis Cup is the home and away matches. In an away tie, you had to contend with adverse conditions, and 5 set matches over 3 days.”