“I don’t think it’s dampened the enthusiasm" - CEO of ITF downplays major stars withdrawing from Davis Cup Finals as format change proposed

The Davis Cup is a prestigious event. It is always an honour for players to represent their country and at times brings out the best in them. However, not all is perfect with the event. CEO of the International Tennis Federation Ross Hutchins believes there is strong support for the current format but would be open to change in the future.

The current structure all culminates at the Davis Cup Finals, currently taking place in Bologna, Italy. 157 nations competed in the numerous tiers that make up the Davis Cup, but only 26 were able to compete for the coveted eight spots in the Finals. These are the 3rd-16th ranked countries from the 2024 Finals and the 12 winners from World Group I. There would be 13 ties played either home or away, with the winners entering the second round of qualifying, joined by the 2024 runners-up. From this, the seven victors will book their place in the Davis Cup Finals at the end of the tennis season, with the eighth nation being the hosts.

There is a lot of tennis being played at the moment. The calendar is relentless for the big stars of the sport, and this shows in the lineups the nations have fielded. Not Carlos Alcaraz for Spain, no Jannik Sinner or Lorenzo Musetti for Italy. These decisions not to play have been based off the amount they have competed this year and the small off-season they get before starting all over again in 2026.

“The nations are the ones that we also have to listen to and there’s been huge support,” Hutchins told the Reuters news agency. "More players have played this year than ever before … a huge amount of nations are participating in this competition and therefore, we have to embrace that side of the thinking as well. We do have close relationships with the other governing bodies in tennis. We do have close relationships with players. We’re willing to have the conversation across anything that comes to their minds.”

While Hutchins is tranquil about the situation, many players have started to suggest alternative formats for the Davis Cup. A popular one is not holding it annually, first stated by Alcaraz. He believed more of the top players would feature, maybe having the event once every two years to fit in the demands of the tight schedule. The consequence of having it every year is showing. After winning two on the bounce with Italy, Sinner has decided to start his off-season after the ATP Finals, focusing on resting and recuperating ahead of 2026.

Hutchins has played this down. He believed the size and stature of the event is enough to get players and fans excited. “I don’t think it’s dampened the enthusiasm. Player withdrawals happen regularly, whether it’s at the major events or the ATP Finals or throughout the year," he said. "Injuries happen. You can’t really account for what happened to Carlos, unfortunately, recently. Jannik, what a few years he’s having … non-stop finals every single week. Huge credit to him and Carlos. I don’t think it’s dampened spirits. It’s a team competition and nations and captains are passionate about their teams. That’s what’s so special about this competition … the enormity of this event, the history of this event and the team element of this event. Everyone’s super excited.”

The 2025 Davis Cup Finals are underway with Belgium causing an upset and knocking out the 10-time champions France 2-0. They will face Italy or Austria in the semi-finals, with the two nations locking horns today. Follow our Davis Cup Finals coverage here.