Former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt has launched an attack on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) over their ‘money-grabbing’ plans to change the format of the Davis Cup.
Earlier this year a proposal was introduced to change the Davis Cup into a one-week competition that would feature 18 teams. Resulting in the removal of home and away ties. Supporters have argued that by hosting the event over a single week, it would make it easier for players’ scheduling commitments. Although it is likely to extend the men’s calendar by an additional week.
Interviewed by The Australian newspaper, Australian Davis Cup captain Hewitt has accused the governing body of just being concerned about the money involved in the deal. Investment firm Kosmos, which is owned by Barcelona F.C. footballer Gerard Pique, has pledged to invest $3bn over 25 years if plans go ahead.
“There are a lot of people who are frustrated by it and see this as a money-grab. It is a money deal,” Hewitt told The Australian newspaper on Friday.
“It is all about money, not representing your country. It makes absolutely no sense.”
Hewitt is his country’s most successful Davis Cup player of all time. During his career, he played in a record 42 ties and won 58 out of 79 matches played. He is the most senior member yet of Tennis Australia to speak out against the planned reform. Joining the Belgian tennis federation, who has already stated their opposition.
“The (proposed) competition is not the Davis Cup. You can’t call this the Davis Cup,” he said.
“You can ask anyone for the past 50 years who has played the Davis Cup and (this proposal) is not what it is about, nor what it should be about.”
Under the proposal, the duration of the ties will be reduced. A total of three matches will be played between countries. Consisting of two singles and one doubles match. Besides Kosmos, it has also been publicly backed by Japanese billionaire Hiroshi Mikitani. The Chairman and founder of e-commerce company Rakuten.
The plan will go to a vote at an ITF AGM meeting later this year. It is required at least two thirds of support in order for it get the go ahead. Should it fail, Hewitt has called for the president of the ITF, David Haggerty, to resign.
“To me, I think Haggerty should lose his job if this does not go in his favour,” he said.
“I don’t think he can sit there and have those changes knocked back. I am quite strong on the whole thing. Tennis Australia is fighting against this.”
The ITF AGM will take place in August.
