MADRID — The prestigious Davis Cup, a tournament steeped in over a century of tennis history, is facing a fresh wave of criticism from the very athletes who compete for it. In the wake of Germany's quarter-final victory over Spain at the Finals in Malaga, two of the sport's biggest stars, Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz, have issued a joint plea for significant changes, with Zverev branding the current format an "exhibition" event.
A Stark Critique from the Court's Elite
Following his straight-sets win that sealed Germany's spot in the semi-finals, Alexander Zverev did not mince words. The Olympic gold medalist expressed his deep affection for the historic team competition but lamented the direction it has taken since its radical overhaul by the Kosmos group, a venture fronted by footballer Gerard Piqué. "I have said it before, we are playing an exhibition," Zverev stated bluntly.
His sentiment was echoed by Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz, who, despite his nation's elimination, voiced his concerns. Alcaraz emphasized the unique pressure and passion of the Davis Cup, a feeling he believes is being diluted. "I would change some things," Alcaraz confirmed to the press.
The Core of the Discontent: Format and Atmosphere
The primary grievances center on two key areas: the condensed, neutral-venue Finals format and the consequent loss of the iconic home-and-away ties that defined the competition for decades. The 2024 Finals in Malaga see all eight qualifying nations converge on a single, neutral location for a week-long knockout tournament to decide the champion.
Zverev was particularly vocal about the lack of a true home-court advantage, a element that once created some of the most electric and intimidating atmospheres in the sport. "I remember watching the Davis Cup as a kid, and the atmosphere was completely different. You had the home team playing at home for 90% of the year. That's not the case anymore."
Alcaraz, who has only experienced the post-2019 format as a professional, nonetheless dreams of the classic Davis Cup he watched growing up. He specifically highlighted the loss of best-of-five-set matches, a traditional hallmark that added a layer of physical and mental endurance to the contest.
"I would put the Davis Cup back the way it was," Alcaraz said, outlining his ideal changes. His wish list includes:
- Bringing back the home-and-away format
- Reinstating best-of-five-set matches
- Spreading the competition across the season rather than a one-week finals event
The Kosmos Experiment and Its Aftermath
The current iteration of the Davis Cup is the result of a 25-year, $3 billion partnership between the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Kosmos, which was intended to revitalize the event. The changes, implemented in 2019, were controversial from the start, drawing criticism from legends like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. The partnership ultimately collapsed in 2023, with Kosmos exiting the deal early, leaving the ITF to pick up the pieces and manage a format that has failed to capture the imagination of many players and fans.
Zverev pointedly questioned the logic of the neutral-venue system, especially when it fails to sell out. "I don't think it's a positive thing when you see a stadium that's not full for a Davis Cup quarter-final, for a Saturday session in Malaga." His comments underscore a growing concern that the tournament has lost its unique, nation-versus-nation identity and now feels like just another tour event, albeit with national flags attached.
A Unified Front for a Traditional Revival
Despite being on opposing sides of the net during their match, Zverev and Alcaraz presented a united front on the issue. Zverev explicitly stated that his views are shared by many of his colleagues on the ATP Tour. "A lot of players, a lot of top players, feel the same way. I think Carlos feels the same way."
This alignment between a seasoned veteran and the new face of the sport is significant. It signals that dissatisfaction is not generational but widespread. Alcaraz's longing for a format he never experienced professionally speaks volumes about the enduring legacy and perceived value of the traditional Davis Cup structure.
The current format's scheduling has also been a point of contention. The Finals are held at the end of a grueling 11-month season, leading to player fatigue and withdrawals. Both Zverev and Alcaraz suggested that a return to a season-long, home-and-away structure would alleviate this issue and allow for greater fan engagement throughout the year in different countries.
An Uncertain Future for a Tennis Institution
The pleas from Zverev and Alcaraz add considerable weight to the ongoing debate about the future of the Davis Cup. The ITF is now solely responsible for the competition's direction following the Kosmos split. The federation faces a difficult balancing act: modernizing the event to ensure its financial viability while preserving the core elements that made it a beloved institution.
Zverev, while critical, expressed a hope that his comments would be heard as constructive. "I love the Davis Cup. I've always said that. But this is not the Davis Cup that I remember, and this is not the Davis Cup that I watched as a child."
The question now is whether the ITF will heed the calls of its top athletes. With the competition's identity and prestige on the line, the governing body must decide if it's time to roll back the clock and restore the home-and-away passion or continue with a centralized model that, for now, has been labeled an "exhibition" by its participants.