ITF to introduce new format for Davis Cup next year

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) will introduce the trials of the two-day format and the best-of-three matches during the Zone Group level competitions of the Davis Cup next year. (Photo: International Tennis Federation/Facebook)

MANILA — The International Tennis Federation (ITF) will introduce the trials of the two-day format and the best-of-three matches during the Zone Group level competitions of the Davis Cup next year.

The ITF Board of Directors has agreed to introduce the trials in all Zone Group 1 and 2 ties starting with the first round ties in February, according to the statement released to the media on Saturday.

“The board was given the authority to decide on Davis Cup and Fed Cup trials in a vote by member nations at the 2017 ITF Annual General Meeting in August,” the statement said.

The Davis Cup and the Fed Cup are the largest team competitions for men and women.

Based on the two-day format in Zone Groups I and 2, the two singles matches will be played on Day 1, and the doubles match followed by the two reverse singles matches will be played on Day 2.

This will ensure that all doubles matches remain live.

Zone Group 1 first-round ties will be played on Feb. 2 (Friday) and 3 (Saturday), with Zone Group 2 first-round ties played on Feb. 3 (Saturday) and 4 (Sunday).

The two-day, best-of-three-sets trial, however, will not apply to the World Group, which will continue to play ties over three days and best-of-five sets next year.

Meanwhile, the ITF Board also approved a trial to increase the size of teams in the World Group and Zone Groups I and II from four to a maximum of five players “to give nations greater flexibility in team selection”.

The statement also mentioned changes in the dead rubber policy which will also be trialled in the World Group and Zone Groups I and II in 2018.

“No fifth rubber will be played if the fourth rubber is decisive, the same as the current rule for the Davis Cup Final. (The current rule for other ties states that the fifth rubber must be played if the fourth is decisive but less than four sets.),” the statement said.

“If the score is 3-0, only the fourth rubber will be played, over best-of-three-sets. (The current rules states that the fourth and fifth rubbers should both be played.),” the statement added.

ITF President David Haggerty said: “We are as determined as ever to enhance our flagship team competitions for players, fans, host nations, broadcasters and sponsors. The nations voted to give the Board the flexibility to trial changes, and the board has acted quickly to make this happen in 2018.”

“The Board felt it was appropriate to trial the two-day, best-of-three-set format at Zone Group level. Should the trial prove to be a success, we will be in a position to consider whether it should be applied for the World Group as well after 2018,” he added.

The Annual General Meeting also approved other reforms to develop the Davis Cup and Fed Cup experience for players, teams and host nations.

These include giving the finalists in both Davis Cup and Fed Cup the choice of hosting their first-round tie in the following year and the lowering match court availability and practice court requirements to reduce hosting costs for national associations.