DAVIS CUP DILEMA

Throughout the years a struggle for power in the Tennis professional circuit between the ITF (International Tennis Federation), and the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) has been happening. The first one is in charge of the four mayors and the Davis Cup, while the second one deals with the rest of the tournaments played throughout the year.

During the last couple of years, the Davis Cup has been huge issue of disagreement between the two institutions that control the sport. The ITF argues that the Cup should continue to be played as it has through the Open Era to keep tradition; while the ATP, in an effort to protect the payers, has proposed different alternatives that go from playing it, as the Soccer World Cup, every 4 years to making it a tournament played as a Grand Slam in a two week period.

There is a lot of sacrifice that comes with being able to play the Davis Cup, and a great amount of pressure that is put in the players by their respective Federations. The ATP calendar demands a great amount of time inside a tennis court, and the Davis Cup adds more weeks to the already busy calendar, giving reasons to several players to keep from playing for their countries and focus on their singles careers.

Many top players have rejected the invitation to be part of their Davis Cup alleging, among other things, the demanding calendar they face and the pressure and lack of understanding and considerations the ITF gives them in their tournaments. In an effort to promote the Davis Cup to top players the ITF and the ATP have reached the agreement to give points in the ATP Rankings for those who play the Davis Cup; the amount of points given depends on the result the team achieves in the year.

The income received by the Davis Cup goes to the ITF responsible of the Federations of each country. The players are all to receive the same quantity of money as the rest of their teammates and the decision comes directly from the Federation’s President in their country.  

It would be interesting to know how will the competitiveness of the tournaments the Davis Cup increase if there are adjustments made to the competition.

Written by: Alejandra Diaz Valdes