MADRID (BBC): Novak Djokovic says the Davis Cup knockout phase “has to travel” around the world as he prepares for Serbia’s quarter-final against Britain in Spain.
Since a revamp of the men’s team event in 2019, the final stages of the tournament have always been played in Spanish cities.
On Thursday Serbia play Britain in Malaga, where the semi-finals and final will be held at the weekend.
“This is a competition that is played globally,” Djokovic said.
“It shouldn’t stay in one place more than a year.”
Eight nations have been competing in the week-long event, but Spain failed to qualify. The Davis Cup, which started in 1900, used to be played in a home-and-away format, often creating a partisan atmosphere but regularly missing top players. It led to a controversial revamp the tournament and the final stages were turned into a season-ending event, as part of a 25-year £2.15bn plan funded by the Kosmos investment group fronted by former Spain footballer Gerard Pique.
Billed as the World Cup of Tennis, the inaugural event featuring 18 teams was held in Madrid in 2019 and the final stages of the 2020-21 event were also held in the Spanish capital.
The ‘Final Eight’ of the past two editions have been played at the Palacio de Deportes Martin Carpena in Malaga. In January this year the International Tennis Federation (ITF) ended the deal with Kosmos after less than five years. World number one Djokovic, who has won a record 24 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, urged for more communication between the ITF and the top players about the Davis Cup. “Everyone should have their say because so far no-one has been really communicating with us from the ITF,” said Djokovic, whose nation have not played a Davis Cup tie on home soil since 2018.
“I don’t think we all agree. We will have probably difference of opinions, but the home-and-away ties is something the Davis Cup historically has been very famous for.
“Giving one nation to host the [Final] Eight for four years is too much. It has to travel.”
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