An adjustment to the Davis Cup format will see the return of home and away ties beginning next year - much to the delight of Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt.
Since the World Group format was abolished in 2018, many have complained about the workload and neutral venues for group stage matches leading into the Finals.
Last month, Hewitt expressed his frustration about the current format despite the Aussies qualifying for the last-eight in Malaga.
"We have had a few guys this week pretty banged up," Hewitt said after the quick turnaround from the US Open. "To try and ask players to play the second day after a Grand Slam finishes [is] not easy. In the old (weekend) format, I used to have to do it, but you’d at least have until Friday before you had to play. Now to play on Tuesday, it’s ridiculous."
Despite playing for first place in Group B to gain a more favourable knockout-stage draw, Australia were already qualified before the tie against Spain, with Hewitt admitting: "That’s the stupid part of this format, isn’t it? You know, I can keep saying it."
Earlier today, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced there will be seven home or away ties, with the winners joining the hosts to complete the eight-nation knockout format for the November Finals.
Part of ITF president David Haggerty's comments read: "Moving the Davis Cup September stage from six-day group stage events to two-day home or away ties will ease players' schedules immediately following the US Open, while maintaining the intensity of the competition that they all love."
The qualifying fixtures set for April will be organised with 21 countries split into seven groups.
Mirroring the Davis Cup is the Billie Jean King Cup, moving to eight teams instead of 12 to create a final-eight bracket.
Comments