Davis Cup in need of revamp

The 2 top rated Davis Cup teams the USA and defending champions Australia struggled home to 3-2 victories over Zimbabwe and Switzerland respectively. The Australian team had only won the title back in December when they routed an overmatched French team by 4-1. Earlier this month they came within 1 set of losing in the first round of this year's competition against the Swiss. This situation is unsatisfactory, and also provides little motivation for the top players after having to put in so much effort towards the Davis Cup in the previous year. The Davis Cup needs a revamp if it's to remain relevant and interesting to the viewing public.

The schedule of the Davis Cup, with ties often being played only a week after a grand slam, leads much to be desired. The ATP tennis calendar is too tight, allowing players little chance for a rest. This is particularly the case for the teams which make the final at the end of the year, since they are expected to play again by the following February. Surely the defending champion and finalists could be given a bye through the first round, in order to give them a chance to savor their victory and to reward it? Otherwise it shouldn't be surprising that the top rated Australian and American teams were almost upset in the first round of this year's competition.

Also, some of the top players have often been found wanting in motivation to represent their country in the Davis Cup. Pete Sampras has made infrequent appearances in the event since helping the USA to win in 1995, stating that his priority was to remain the world number 1 and to win a record number of grand slams. Similarly Nicholas Kiefer of Germany is currently refusing to play, citing a hectic schedule. Also in the past Mark Philippoussis has not been happy being expected to play for Australia; particularly in the early rounds of the competition.

The problem could perhaps be solved by making the Davis Cup a 4 yearly competition, as with the World Cup in cricket and the Ryder Cup in golf. This would surely make the competition more meaningful and exciting to both the players and the public at large. In the current format there is little chance for any such build up of anticipation. Hopefully if this was to change, players such as Pete Sampras would place enough importance on the event to participate in it fully, rather than having the competition suffer from second string teams.

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