'Not One Person Supported It': Murray Slams Controversial Davis Cup Format

| by Sebastian Dahlman

Andy Murray has played in the new Davis Cup format, and he's not exactly a fan of it even though both times he played, he was on home soil.

Many players have spoken out against this new Davis Cup format since it was introduced, and Andy Murray added his name to the list. The Brit recently made a really good effort to secure a vital point for his nation on a very emotional day for him.

He played for the country last year as well, and both times the ties were on British soil. He described it as quite fortunate, though he recognized that the other teams didn't have the same benefit. It's a shame because the Davis Cup is known for that kind of atmosphere, but this format makes it almost impossible.

We’re fortunate here [in Manchester] because we get to play all the matches in front of a brilliant atmosphere and a great crowd. It is a shame when France and Australia, two of the biggest tennis nations who love the Davis Cup, are playing in what feels like an empty stadium. It’s a 10,000-seater arena and when it’s empty, it feels wrong.

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The format change didn't happen overnight, and players were consulted. In fact, Murray was part of those talks and he confirmed that the players vocally opposed the change but ultimately it mattered little as the change still happened.

I was on the ATP player council when the initial discussions were had about this format. Not one person on the council supported it.We told David Haggerty [the ITF president] and the ITF. We were told that would be taken into consideration and, literally two days later, it was announced that they were changing the format.


His ATP colleague, Novak Djokovic recently spoke about the format as well expressing a hope that the competition survives because it's so important to tennis. Murray thinks that the format needs to change because otherwise, the competition might tank further.

The format will have to change if it’s going to be successful again. All the players love the home and away ties, I haven’t heard any player who says that they don’t. The fans love the home and away ties as well. Hopefully there’s a way we can get it back to that.

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