Djokovic’s critique Davis Cup format – “it has to travel”

Speaking ahead in Malaga, Novak Djokovic gives his take on ways to make the Davis Cup a more compelling and inspirational event.

Novak Djokovic, Davis Cup 2021 – © AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Chris Oddo

November 23, 2023

The much-maligned Davis Cup continues to captivate fans with its rare brand of patriotism mixed with athleticism, providing one of the few weeks on the tennis calendar where the all for one and one for all mentality truly holds weight.

Even if the event has been watered down by format changes in 2019 (designed to help with player participation and create a “World Cup” environment) that have created too many neutral ties and taken out the fervor of the faithful, there is hope that a few small changes can help to restore the electricity of the longest-standing international competition in tennis.

A compromise between old and new

“I know there has been a lot of discussions on that subject,” Djokovic told reporters. “Also with ITF and Kosmos taking the ownership of the competition years ago, and then changing the format, there has been a lot of criticism on that.

“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.”

Djokovic went on to say that many nations, not just Serbia, suffer when they don’t have the chance to play in front of their home fans. Davis Cup has always held a special place in the heart of fans, and has had considerable impact on young players, creating a connection with young athletes and inspiring them to take up the racquet. Without home ties, it’s impossible to create that indelible footprint.

“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 people in Serbia to watch us play, especially young people, young tennis players,” Djokovic said.

Federations benefit more from old format

Djokovic says that creating neutral site ties doesn’t allow federations to take advantage of the wonderful promotional aspect of Davis Cup.

“It also allows Federation to benefit in different ways from that home tie,” Djokovic said. “So hopefully that can be back in some way.”

Djokovic also stressed the importance of allowing the players to participate in the process of creating a new and improved Davis Cup format.

“I don’t have in my mind personally a perfect format,” he said. “I think it’s important to put it out on the table and discuss, but not discuss behind the closed doors. Discuss with players and discuss with Davis Cup teams.

“I think everyone should have their say, because so far no one has been really communicating with us from ITF. So that’s something I feel like should change, because obviously we also are very integral part of this competition. I feel like we can give some valuable information and feedback on what we think is the right way.”

“It has to travel” – The Finals must move every year, at the very least

If the eight-team knockout format remains, Djokovic says it is imperative that the location of the final is moved each year.

“I don’t think we all agree,” he said. “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. I feel like the Davis Cup Finals, at least if you’re going to keep it at Final 4, Final 8, should travel every year. It shouldn’t stay in one place more than a year.”