The CEO of investment firm Kosmos has played down fears over a series of high-profile players missing the Davis Cup finals next year as it switches to a week-long event.
Javier Alonso has spoken out about the issue during a trip to the Shanghai Masters. Alonso was at the Masters 1000 tournament alongside Barcelona F.C centre-back Gerard Pique, who is the founder of the company. Kosmos has pledged to invest $3 billion into the Davis Cup over the next 25 years. Under the new format, 18 teams will play in an end-of-season finals. Removing the tradition of home and away finals. The group consists of 12 qualified teams, the four semi-finalists from the previous year and two wild cards.
“Gerard Pique has not come to save the Davis Cup because there’s nothing to save, it’s a historical competition which will keep on existing, with or without tennis’ biggest stars.” Alonso told Spanish news agency EFE.
Pique was spotted holding a discussion with Novak Djokovic during his time in China. Although it is unclear as to what was discussed. The meeting came at a time where a series of high-profile players have cast doubts on their participation. Germany’s Alexander Zverev became the first top 10 player to publicly say that he will not be playing in the tournament. Saying that his decision has been made due to the timing of the event, which takes place at the end of November.
“Because in November I do not want to play tennis anymore. I think all the top guys will say the same thing.” Zverev told reporters in Shanghai about why he will miss the 2019 Davis Cup final.
“We have one-and-a-half months off in our season, and that’s the end of November and December. Making a tournament at the end of November, which is ten days long and playing and competing, it’s crazy. I mean, by the end of the year, we are all tired.”
Another blow came from 20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer. The Swiss world No.2 said that the event ‘wasn’t designed’ for him. Federer has previously warned Pique against trying to interfere with the Davis Cup. Saying that the team event should not be turned into the ‘Pique Cup.’
“No, I highly doubt [I’ll be there],” said Federer. “We’ll see what happens.
“I don’t think this was designed for me anyhow. This was designed for the future generation of players.”
Djokovic is also yet to commit to the event. His meeting with Pique in Shanghai has been described as one that ‘has been done a million times before.’ Indicating that no new agreements has been made.
Alonso, who was the former director general of Dorma Sports, has dismissed allegations that his company is trying to fix the team tournament. Saying that the future of the event is not under threat. The words come as the ATP gets ready to bring back the World Team Cup from 2020. An event that will offer ranking points and prize money.
“We’ve not come to save anything because there’s nothing to save. The Davis Cup is 118 years old and will keep getting older.” He stated.
“It’s a team competition and the most important things is the teams, not the players.”
Next year’s Davis Cup finals will take place at the Caja Magica between November 18th to 24th.
