Davis Cup official Mark Woodforde – a doubles icon back in the day – has no sympathy for calls from players to reinstate the cherished home-and-away format killed off by new management of the venerable international event.
The Davis Cup Mark II is on its last legs, with looming bankruptcy for the Spanish band of ex-footballers who bought the rights to stage the worldwide classic from the ITF and proceeded to drive the competition into the ground.
The current edition is Spanish-centric to the extreme, with a playoff tie now on in Valencia and the November Finals set for Malaga.
Ironically, neither world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz nor injured Rafael Nadal are available for Spain.
The hard-luck Kosmos management group is due in court over promises made to earn USD 3 billion over 25 years for ITF tennis bosses. That over-the-top promise is now dead and buried.
With attendance at this week’s playoffs in various cities poor – save when the “home” team at each of the four-nation events is on court – calls are coming thick and fast to bring back the classic format.
But Woodforde stonewalled when asked when reason might begin to reign.
He told Britain’s PA:“We’re fully aware that some players will say, ‘Why don’t we go back to that home-and-away format?’
“That format was not working. That’s why the change came about. The old format was killing Davis Cup.”
He added more detail: “We had nations telling the ITF they were unhappy, it needed to change. We had our title sponsor telling us we need to make changes, we need to keep the competition alive, we need to make it fresh.
“The home-and-away format had been an integral part of the competition historically, we haven’t got rid of it, it’s still there, it’s still alive in the lower groups as well.
“Even without Kosmos being involved, we think the changes we’ve made are positive.
“It’s in the minority some of those voices, some of them are politically motivated, which is unnecessary. Stan (Wawrinka) who complained about lack of crowds this week) created a bit of a furore with filming the stands.
“We’re always welcome to feedback, it’s unfortunate he did it in such a public way.”
The newest member of tennis’ corporate suite hinted that the unpopular current edition of the event is here to stay despite player protests… though he then hedged his bets.
“It feels wrong. I think the format will have to change if it’s going to be successful again.
“All the players loved the home-and-away ties, I think the fans loved the home-and-away ties as well. Hopefully there’s a way we can get it back to that.”
