11 time grand slam champion, Rod Laver has lead Australia’s strong charge to reject the Davis Cup reforms, which are voted on in next week’s AGM meeting.
The Australian legend has joined the likes of Lleyton Hewitt and John Newcombe to publicly voice their opposition to the ITF’s new Davis Cup reforms which are set to be voted on Thursday. ITF President David Haggerty along with Kosmos want to change the World Group from a traditional 16 team tournament played over the course of the year to a week long 18 team tournament played in one venue.
It’s a move that has been highly controversial and one that Tennis Australia has opposed massively since the reform was suggested. Not only have Tennis Australia voiced their opinion on the matter but they have also taken matters into their own hands as they have started to talks to start their own World Cup of Tennis with the ATP from 2020.
Here is what Rod Laver had to say on the latest reforms, “The ties I played in for Australia, both at home and abroad, remain among my most cherished tennis memories,” explained the 11 time grand slam champion.
“I want players from all nations to continue to enjoy similar feelings when they represent their countries. Proposed changes to the format need to be subject to the widest possible consultation and agreement, to ensure there are no unintended consequences that could impact the great traditions of the Davis Cup.”
His latest comments join Newcombe and Hewitt as vocal opposition for the ITF as Thursday’s meeting approaches, Newcombe explained the changes would mean that this would just become ‘another event on the calendar that has no real meaning.’ While Hewitt has described the reforms as a ‘money grab’ as the reforms has been boosted by a 3 billion dollar investment from Kosmos, which is run by Barcelona football star Gerard Pique.
The reforms need a two thirds majority, with the vote set to take place on Thursday in Orlando, Florida.
