Davis Cup: French association president demands patience
While the criticism of the new format of the Davis Cup final tournament was loud and clear, Bernard Giudicelli wants to give the format time to grow.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Nov 28, 2019, 04:14 pm
Hardly any nation knows better what a traditional Davis Cup final looks like than the French. In 2018, L 'Equipe Tricolore lost to Croatia at home, beating Belgium the year before. In the final tournament after the new mode in Madrid, the team could not have a say in Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the title. The end was already in the group stage, which ended behind Serbia in second place.
The French will not have to worry about qualifying for next year's finals in Madrid again. The team was given a wildcard by the ITF, as were the Serbs. Anyway, Bernard Giudicelli, the French association president, has found favor with the new mode. Even if he admits that not everything has worked optimally yet.
Nadal and Djokovic want to come back
"We have to accept that the old format no longer exists," Giudicelli told Sport24 . "A new story begins. What I liked best was the cosmopolitan dimension of this event. There was an extraordinary atmosphere. We have to let it grow. I understand the critics, but it was a World Cup that just started. "
Giudicelli was also satisfied with the cast - with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, the two best players in Madrid at the start. "Tennis is a professional sport. The best have accepted the challenge and want to come back. And: The organizers listen to the captains and players. And will make adjustments. "