Help
2/6/10 2:21 AM | Johan Lindahl
After nearly a month of considered silence, the International Tennis Federation has gone to the attack over a potential replacement for the 110-year-old Davis Cup.
President Francesco Ricci Bitti let loose with a blast at the proposed plan after days of silence.
The Nations Cup proposal feature a 32-nation, biannual event played at one venue over 10
days. It was received tentative enthusiasm from leading players including Novak Djokovic, but no special warmth from the men's ATP or the ITF.
"What they are talking about is a completely different animal to Davis Cup, so we are not against it," said Italian Ricci Bitti. "We understand that any promoter could find that it is a good idea to have a team event.
"It has happened in the past, it will happen again in the future. They are two different products, two different concepts.
"The calendar is annual; every second year, in tennis, is a completely stupid idea. We know the problems better than anybody with the Olympics being held every four years, it's a headache."
The top administrator also warned that a Nations Cup could crash without the participation of elite players. "If you don't have all the top players, you are in bankruptcy, we have experience that it is a failure when people do not have their own team to support."
Bitti has also dismissed calls for an overhaul of the four-times-per-year Davis format. "We believe it's working. We are always listening to the players, but the model is this one because our mission is not to maximize the profit."
The Davis Cup first-round World Group ties in early March will be missing three of the top four, with Roger Federer and Andy Murray opting out and Rafael Nadal injured. American Andy Roddick and James Blake have both said they will be unavailable.
Tell a friend »
Contact us
/ About us
/ Cookies
/ Recommended links
/ Advertise
/ Sitemap
Tennistalk v1.5.0
Disclaimer © 2001-2010, Moneytainment Media Ltd - All rights reserved
