World No.1 Rafael Nadal has reiterated his stance that the two biggest team tournaments in men’s tennis should be condensed into one event after similar comments made from rival Novak Djokovic.
The 19-time grand slam champion said he, ‘doesn’t personally see’ the prospect of both the Davis Cup and ATP Cup co-existing in the future. Just over a month separates the two events, which is run by different organisations. The Davis Cup is overseen by the International Tennis Federation and the ATP managed the newly revived ATP Cup. Once occurs at the end of the season and the other at the start of the next.
“I don’t see another way, honestly. I don’t see two World Cups in one month on our calendar. That’s something that I personally don’t see.” Nadal told reporters on Wednesday evening.
“I cannot talk for the ATP. I cannot talk for the other players. But, personally, we have an opportunity to finally have a great competition.”
There have been tentative talks between the ITF and ATP in the past, but they both have their own vision and are reluctant to change their events. The Davis Cup recently had a revamp with a 25-year $3 billion investment from Kosmos. Meanwhile, their rival event will officially begin in 2020 and is the only team tournament in the sport that can offer ranking points to players.
Amid the impasse between the two, Nadal believes it is time to work together. Branding the involvement of Kosmos in the sport as ‘important.’
“It’s important, in my opinion, to share efforts between ATP and ITF. And at the same time, have an important company that is able to work hard to bring this competition to the next level, like Kosmos.” He said.
“My personal opinion is, there is no other way than have only one big, big competition. ATP, ITF, Kosmos, Davis Cup, World Cup. Doesn’t matter the name.’
“I think Davis Cup is the right name because it’s part of the history of our sport. And it will be great if we are able to put everything together.” He added.
Nadal’s rival Djokovic believes there is a chance of some form of a merger in the future. He is currently the president of the influential ATP Player Council and won the Davis Cup back in 2010. The world No.2 believes a better solution would be a Super Cup taking place in September. However, the issue to that is the Roger Federer-back Laver Cup. Which already has a place in the ATP calendar and takes place during that month.
“I’m sure that the organizers of (the Davis Cup) are doing their best to make this a successful week, a successful event,” Djokovic said during a press conference.
“It’s a lot of responsibility and pressure on them because this is the most traditional, historic team event in our sport. There’s a tremendous burden of history on them to make it right.
“But then, of course, scheduling has been always an issue, for both ATP Cup and Davis Cup. In my opinion, which was an idea, that it could happen, was a merger between the two.
“And so I think it’s still open for the future.”
Football player Gerard Pique is the founder of Kosmos, who has become a key figure in the world of team tennis. Responding to concerns over the scheduling of the Davis Cup, he has played down the significance. Even though the issue has been raised by many players.
“It’s not ideal because they end up tired all year.” He told marca.com.
“For me to play in the last week of the calendar makes sense. We’ll try to find the best [solution] with ATP but, for now, we’re comfortable.”
40 days separates the end of the Davis Cup from the start of the ATP Cup.
