Novak Djokovic is getting ready to play for Serbia at the 2023 Davis Cup Finals Final Eight, and he shared his views on the new format.
Djokovic actually led Serbia to the trophy once many years ago, and it was when we had the signature Davis Cup format. Serbia hosted France in the final on Serbian soil and bested them thanks to largely Djokovic proving the hero in that tie.
It was a wonderful experience for the legend who shared it with thousands of his compatriots. Should they win again, that won't be the case because the final stage of this year's Davis Cup is being played on Spanish soil in Malaga.
It's part of the new format we've had for a while now, and it's not that popular. Many players bashed it in the past. Djokovic doesn't consider it the best format, as he recently explained his thoughts.
I actually personally feel that the best format will be somewhere in between the old one and the new one, but I don't think that this is best for the nations participating in the World Group. The fact that we, as a team, have not played in Serbia many years is not great, because we don't give an opportunity to, you know, people in Serbia to watch us play, especially young people, young tennis players.
That was a really great point by Djokovic, as tennis should be promoted. Competitions like the Davis Cup help with that, especially when you add the component of the nation, which evokes deep emotions in most people.
I don't have in my mind personally a perfect format. I think it's important to put it out on the table and discuss, but not discuss behind the closed doors. Discuss with players and discuss with Davis Cup teams. I think everyone should have their say, because so far no one has been really communicating with us from ITF.
Another thing that Djokovic mentioned was the history of the competition, and he feels like it should be honored. It's always been a traveling competition and should be in the future.
I think the home-and-away ties is something the Davis Cup historically has been very famous for. And now giving one nation to host every year the Last 8 for now three, four years in a row, actually five, Madrid, Malaga, is too much, in my opinion. It has to travel. This is a competition that is played globally.
0 Comments