Piqué's Davis Cup debut with difficulties: "Need to improve some things"
The premiere of the Davis Cup final tournament revealed some of the weaknesses of the new format. For the issue in the coming year must be improved - even if this will not solve all the problems.
by SID
last edit: Nov 25, 2019, 07:38 am
Gerard Pique was sitting there in a fashionable black suit, his white shirt unbuttoned at the top, smiling charmingly at the criticism of his "life project". "It was a unique event and we are very happy with how it went," said the football star of FC Barcelona on the bumpy premiere of the Davis Cup final tournament in Madrid. "We wanted to keep the soul of the Davis Cup," he added, and he succeeded.
Quite could deny Pique, who had taken over the traditional team competition last year with his investment company Kosmos for allegedly three billion dollars and radically changed, the problems at the premiere then but not. "It was the first time we knew there would be trouble, we need to improve some things," he explained.
Hordorff - "The Davis Cup is gone"
Matches that lasted until late into the night, many empty squares in the stadiums and little atmosphere had often clouded the picture during the final week in Madrid. Pique therefore announced improvements in the game planning, also on the construction of a fourth stadium will be discussed for the issue next year - but even that will not silence all criticism of the new format.
"The Davis Cup is no more," said DTB Vice President Dirk Hordorff in a conversation with the SID his clear verdict. The fact that the old mode had to be reformed with four rounds spread throughout the year was shared by all those involved in Madrid. About the weaknesses of the new format with 18 nations playing for the title within a week, as well.
Although many top players were at the start, the matches were at the end of the long season at a high level. In addition the conditions for the players on the plant had been top, stressed for example Philipp Kohlschreiber. But not only the German veteran missed the "special atmosphere" of the old format.
Although there were a few, especially on the final weekend - Host Spain Rafael Nadal was able to fill the over 12,000-capacity main stadium and generate a dignified Davis Cup atmosphere. Otherwise, however, there was usually a sad picture.
Merging with the ATP Cup?
Even the late date in the bulging tennis calendar is extremely unfavorable. However, the Davis Cup is in competition with the Laver Cup in September and the new ATP Cup in January with 24 teams in Australia. Therefore, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have already suggested a merger of the Davis Cup with the similarly created ATP Cup.
"We are open to teaming up with ATP and finding a deal," said Pique, who hopes to announce progress "in the coming months". Because it makes "no sense to have two different competitions".
From a sporting point of view, the tournament for the selection of the German Tennis Association (DTB) went neat, the minimum goal quarter-finals was achieved. Despite the disappointment over the avoidable off against Great Britain team boss Michael Kohlmann looked "confident in the year 2020".
Then it will be for Germany on 6 and 7 March to qualify in the home game against Belarus again for the final tournament in Madrid - and to make a picture of the announced improvements on the ground.