What is it with modern Sports Administrators?
Once again we have seen the people charged with preserving the history of a sport about to throw 118 years of Davis Cup history out of the window.
The International Tennis Federation have proposed changes to the Davis Cup that have resulted in a storm of protest from fans and former Champions of the game.
Yet these protests may fall on deaf ears with ITF Board, led by American David Haggerty, having already unanimously endorsed a proposal that would, according to them change the Davis Cup forever, but which according to many past Champions threatens to kill it off.
The ITF is proposing to play the Davis Cup as a week long, partially round-robin event in a neutral city each November. This is to be done as part of a 25-year partnership with investment group Kosmos that is said to be worth almost $4 billion.
Ties would now be reduced to three rubbers — two singles and a doubles — and those matches would be played over three sets instead of the current best-of-five format.
Australian great Neale Frasier has pleaded for Australia to oppose such a move. Encouraging for fans of the sport is the fact that The Belgian and German federations have also already indicated that they would oppose the overhaul when it goes to a formal vote in August in Florida.
The French too have been outspoken in their views on the proposed changes. Yannick Noah, who captained them to success in the most recent Davis Cup, has been quoted as saying on social media “The end of the Davis Cup. How sad. They sold the soul of a historical (competition).”
What is also distressing to Tennis fans is the news that the new competition would see the Davis Cup renamed the “World Cup of Tennis Finals”. That hardly sounds a very catchy name, and certainly does not have the cache of the Davis Cup.
Rafael Nadal, who has played in four successful Spanish Davis Cup teams, is one of those in favour of the proposals that he has been quoted as describing as a “good initiative” that he hopes “goes forward and it successful”. Being cynical could this be simply because the proposal, is backed by a company founded by his Spanish compatriot and Barcelona star Gerard Pique?
Yet If fans cast their mind back to 2014, Roger Federer asked the ITF to give the Davis Cup more credibility. In fact his suggestions back then appear to be exactly what is being proposed now. (Federer Fulfils His Dream, Will He Revisit His Vision)
It is interesting to recall that at the time Federer gained the support of his fellow professionals but not that of the ITF. Now as the world body announces plans for virtually the exact same changes he put forward. Yet when he was questioned about the new proposed format at the Laureus awards Federer was a lot more reserved in airing his views.
”I’m surprised this is happening, just because I do not know another Davis Cup other than the current format. Time will tell us if it’s okay, I’m hearing a lot of extremely positive and extremely negative reactions.” He said. “It will be interesting to see what happens, if it will be the final format.”
Once the Davis Cup goes it is gone forever. Just like the Champions Trophy Hockey tournament after this year. These are historic tournaments. The history that they carry gives them meaning to players and fans alike. New Tournaments take time to catch the public’s imagination, – some never do- and while they mean something to those who participate, most will tell you the traditional tournaments have a far greater meaning.
That is why Wimbledon, The Australian Open are special. They have history. The have a place in the world of Tennis.
The Football Federation of Australia chose to ignore the history that was the National Soccer League which had run for 27 years and was Australia’s first truly national club competition. The A-League was new and it wanted nothing to do with that era. Yet ignoring the clubs that paved the way for the A-League, the players, and the Grand Final victories back-fired and lost them followers.
Sports fans the world over love their history. Fans love to hear commentators mention the players of the past, the successes of teams of the past, because the past makes the present relevant.
Of course like all suggested changes there is some merit in some of the proposals. To have a set window for the Davis Cup is one. A time when all eyes can focus on a team event, one in which the players represent their nations. The only other time this happens is at the Olympics, and that to fans has yet to capture the imagination.
Having the tournaments played in various countries to promote the sport also has merit, however this is likely to be hijacked, and become more about which countries are prepared to pay for the privilege of hosting the event, rather than promoting the game.
At the end of the day this proposal is all about money. Tennis needs money, and the Investment Group that are looking to come on board are in a position to make their demands and change things to suit their needs, because the ITF want their money.
It would be criminal to see the Davis Cup consigned to simply being a tournament that used to be contested.
It sounds as if Australia are going to fight the move and that is not surprising as the second most successful competitor having lifted the trophy 28 times. The USA who have won the title the most will have a huge say in the future of the competition when the proposal will be put to a vote of member nations at the ITF’s annual general meeting in Orlando between August 13 and 16. The US carries heavy representation at the top end of the board. Aside from Haggerty, USTA president and chief executive Katrina Adams is one of three vice-presidents.
The USA has always been at the forefront when it comes to the commercialisation of sport. They have been very adept at putting a value on events and making sponsors pay, and through good and clever marketing have reaped huge financial rewards.
Will they opt for what some are terming ‘Commercial reality,’ or will they side with History?
No doubt the next six months before the AGM the voices of players past and present will have a big bearing on the way they, and others with a vote cast that vote. Expect plenty of banners and protests at tournaments across the globe, as the fans will surely voice their opinions.
In the meantime it will be a long wait for those who love the tradition and the history of the Davis Cup. Those who want to preserve a tournament that started at Harvard University when four of their tennis team wished to challenge their English counterparts. Dwight Davis came up with the format, and the rest as they say is history, 118 years of history.
