(Re)Define Davis Cup Now
It’s been well documented in the past year or two that there need to be changes to the Davis Cup format and scheduling. However, although the ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour have unveiled streamlined tournament calendars for 2009 and beyond, the ITF has yet to institute significant changes to the Davis Cup. There has been discussion again recently regarding awarding points for play in Davis Cup, but that is a terribly problematic
move and ignores the major problem with Davis Cup which is scheduling. For example, top players, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and others are skipping Davis Cup ties because of the dates of Davis Cup ties. The time has come for a major overhaul similar to what we recommended a year ago. The key to solving the Davis Cup problems is simplicity. Hold the Davis Cup every other year in one location, feature the top 16 country teams playing over one week of matches. This solution would focus attention, solve the scheduling issues and revive what is becoming an inconveniently-timed global team tennis competition.
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