Feliciano Lopez isn't buying an ATP-points hustle towards Davis cup matches but demands respect for the tradition
ATP
Feliciano
López expressed that it would be "unfair" for tournaments like the
Davis Cup or the United Cup to award ranking points.
Former
world No. 12 Feliciano López responded in an interview with "Punto de
Break" when asked about the possibility of distributing points in the
Davis Cup to attract more prominent players to the tournament and, in turn,
encourage a larger audience presence and more exciting competition.
The
Spaniard disagreed with the idea, stating that it would be unjust compared to
players who are competing in other tournaments during the same week:
“I don’t
think team competitions should offer points, I have always been against this
idea. Neither the Davis Cup nor any other competition,” Lopez said.
“For
example, I don’t think the United Cup should give points or the old ATP Cup. It
is unfair treatment compared to the other tournaments that are played that
week, where you can never earn the same points as playing a team competition,
where you can face a player who is #500 and win more points than another who
wins that week against a top50 and gets 20 points. I am not in favor of points
in team competitions.”
“You cannot
give the Davis Cup the points that you give in a Masters 1000 or a tournament
of that level, it is not comparable, it does not make sense,” Lopez explained.
Lopez, who
represented Spain in 31 ties, playing a total of 42 matches, emphasized the
historical significance of the event and mentioned the downside, such as
playing with some empty seats, an issue that Stan Wawrinka raised in recent
days.
“This
competition is a hundred years old (Davis Cup was founded in 1900), the best
players in the world have played it, we must make people see what this
tournament means. Little by little they will understand it, any young player
who has lived this experience I am sure that he will not forget it. The
calendar is what it is, but not for the Davis Cup, it is a problem in general
for the world of tennis.”
“Playing in
an empty stadium is perhaps the worst part of the current moment we are
experiencing with the new format, the fact of only having an incredible
atmosphere when the home country plays,’ Lopez admits.
“It
happened to us (Spain) during two years in Madrid, in our case, we have been
very lucky because since the change we have always been able to play in Spain.
Of course, going to play the Davis Cup in another country in an empty stadium…
I understand that it shouldn’t be like that. That is why we are open to
continuing to evolve with this format so that this happens as little as
possible. But it is not so easy.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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