LONDON — World No. 1 Novak Djokovic Wednesday called for a football-style Davis Cup to help keep the 116-year-old tournament alive.
Djokovic inspired Serbia to its only Davis Cup triumph in 2010 but has, in common with many other top players, carefully selected which ties he will honor in a packed tour schedule.
The 29-year-old is due to play in the quarterfinal against Andy Murray’s Great Britain in Belgrade from July 15-17 in the week after Wimbledon.
“I definitely stand for a change of format of the Davis Cup,” said 12-time Grand Slam title winner Djokovic.
“The format, as it is, doesn’t work anymore.”
Djokovic wants the International Tennis Federation to rethink the schedule.
He pointed to the success of football where the World Cup and European championships are organized in group stages and played at one specific time of the year.
“Create one event in one year or two years that would be held over two weeks,” suggested the Serb.
“Make four groups, winners of all groups go to playoffs. Create it really attractive, not just for us tennis players, but for fans, for media, for everybody, for sponsors.”
Djokovic played in this year’s first round win over Kazakhstan, taking part in three of the five rubbers over the weekend.
He has played 23 ties since his 2004 debut but skipped the 2012 and 2014 seasons.
“Throughout the whole year, it’s a big challenge because of the schedule. You have four rounds in the best case scenario of the World Group,” he added.
“The best match in terms of schedule for a top player is the first one. Every match after that you need to play after either a Grand Slam or after a season finale.
“I think we do need to create a radical change because if we continue having this kind of format, it’s not going to be good for players.”
