The Davis Cup has seen a change in format many times throughout the year. The premier international team event used to have home-and-away ties for the Final eight teams until 2018. Since then, one bout between two countries can take place in any city. The change has been opposed by many, including Novak Djokovic. As the Serbinator gets ready to participate in the tournament, he shares his opinion regarding the absence of home-and-away ties.

The backlash against the changing format of the Davis Cup was widespread. Many players such as Stan Wawrinka, Alexander Zverev, Andy Murray, and more have spoken against ties taking place in neutral cities. Now, Djokovic joins their voice.

Novak Djokovic against the current Davis Cup format

The Davis Cup finals have commenced, and we have seen players from various countries battling on the court to help their team move on. Djokovic is waiting to play his bout as Serbia will face Great Britain in Malaga. Before his bout, Djokovic attended a press conference where he talked about the new format of the Davis Cup. 

“I actually personally feel that the best format will be somewhere in between the old one and the new one, but I don’t think that this is best for the nations participating in the World Group. The fact that we, as a team, have not played in Serbia many years is not great, because we don’t give an opportunity to, you know, people in Serbia to watch us play, especially young people, young tennis players.”

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He further said that he doesn’t have the perfect format in mind himself, but it should be discussed by the ITF and the player, not behind closed doors. Additionally, he also said that everyone should get their say, but no one from the ITF is contacting them. The Djoker eventually said that home-and-away ties are what the Davis Cup is known for. 

Djoker on home-and-away ties in Davis Cup

As he continued to share his thoughts about the Davis Cup, he said that home-and-away ties are historic for the Davis Cup. The number 1 also explained that giving hosting rights to a few cities for years in a row is not a good idea. 

“You know, we will have probably difference of opinions, but I think the home-and-away ties is something the Davis Cup historically has been very famous for. And now giving one nation to host every year the Last 8, for now, three, four years in a row, actually five, Madrid, Malaga, is too much, in my opinion. It has to travel. This is a competition that is played globally.”

The backlash for the tournament began as soon as the format was changed. With more and more players speaking out against it, the organizers will have to address it sometime soon.

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