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The final week of an exciting tennis season kicked off on Tuesday afternoon in Málaga with the start of the Davis Cup finals. Milos Raonic from Canada, who won last year’s tournament, and Patrick Kaukovalta from Finland took to the court at the large Palacio de los Deportes, greeted by a lively crowd for the first quarter-final match.
However, despite the positive moments, the Davis Cup has faced a tumultuous year. It has been four years since the event was reformed by Kosmos, a company co-founded by Gerard Piqué, and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). It is still uncertain whether this major annual team sporting competition can successfully resolve its issues.
In 2018, Kosmos committed to investing $3 billion over the course of 25 years after 72% of the ITF’s 213 member countries approved the reforms at their annual meeting. However, there was doubt within the sports community about the deal’s success. Today, it has failed.
Kosmos’s agreement with the ITF was ended in January, even though it still had 21 years remaining. While overseeing the competition, Kosmos incurred major financial losses and was unable to make timely payments to players. The organization tried to discuss a lower annual fee for organizing the Davis Cup with the ITF, with Pique’s company claiming it was too high, but the agreement was ultimately terminated.
After Kosmos violated the agreement, both parties have taken legal action against each other. The ITF has partnered with Tennium, a well-known company in the management of tennis events, to help organize this year’s event. The outcome for the future is uncertain.
However, the most significant disappointment has been caused by the opponents themselves. During their first match of the group phase against France in September, Stan Wawrinka and his Swiss team played at the AO Arena in Manchester with only a small audience of a few hundred people. Frustrated by the lack of support, Wawrinka even recorded a video of the empty stands and shared it on X (formerly known as Twitter) with the message: “Thank you, Gerard Piqué.”
A short virtual discussion ensued between the top players in their respective sports and Wawrinka later criticized the Davis Cup, a view shared by others including former No 1 Lleyton Hewitt, who leads the Australia team. “We need to make changes at the top; we’ve seen the consequences. The Davis Cup was supposed to be a 25-year venture but it’s turned into a four-year disaster,” he stated. “I can keep saying it, but they’ve really mishandled it.”
There are undoubtedly strong and convincing justifications for change, as the tournament now presents federations with greater financial incentives, players with a substantial prize pool, and a reduced number of Davis Cup fixtures to attract top competitors. This week in Málaga, both finalists from the ATP Finals, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, are participating.
The essence of the Davis Cup lies in the emotions it stirs up for both players and fans. The thrilling display of a lengthy match spanning several days, with five sets, a lively ambiance, and unforeseen turns is deeply yearned for. In contrast, the current format of three matches, consisting of two singles and one doubles rubber, feels rushed and unsatisfying.
Up to this point, the occasion has only taken place in Europe and primarily in Spain, where Kosmos has stronger ties. Several other countries with significant backgrounds in the tournament, such as numerous South American nations, have been unable to participate.
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The unique aspect of tennis is one of its greatest strengths; fans of the sport can easily connect with players from all over the globe and support their favorites regardless of their nationality, religion, gender or beliefs. Patriotism takes a backseat, which is quite refreshing.
The nostalgia surrounding the legendary Davis Cup matches of the past, which took place in arenas filled with trembling ground and overwhelming emotions, lies in their epic nature that set them apart from ordinary tour matches. There were instances in those intense duels where the stakes seemed even higher. However, in recent years, this has not been the norm.
However, despite its shortcomings and imperfections, the event is still capable of creating unforgettable moments. Following Raonic’s initial victory for Canada, Finland bounced back and achieved a remarkable upset, even with the absence of their top player, Emil Ruusuvuori, due to injury. Otto Virtanen’s 6-4, 7-5 win against Gabriel Diallo, along with Harri Heliovaara and Virtanen’s 7-5, 6-3 victory over Alexis Galarneau and Vasek Pospisil, secured a 2-1 win for Finland.
A notable lesson from the world of tennis in recent times, especially during the Covid outbreak when players risked it all despite performing in front of empty crowds, is that as long as two opponents are giving their all on the court, the game will remain captivating and satisfactory. However, it may not hold the same level of significance.
Source: theguardian.com
