Lleyton Hewitt unhappy with new Davis Cup layout - "That's the stupid part of this format, isn't it"

Although Australia secured their spot at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in November, team captain Lleyton Hewitt expressed his disapproval at the tournament's new format and scheduling.

The changed format was introduced in 2019, when it drew controversy due to the scheduling of matches during the competition. The Finals stage would be held in one location, currently Malaga, Spain, whereas qualifiers would be held in September, as opposed to the previous layout of having home and away ties throughout the season.

The Davis Cup qualifiers took place just two days after the conclusion of the US Open, with top Australian star Alex De Minaur missing the event after reaching the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows. Nonetheless, Australia still managed to qualify for the Davis Cup Finals, although Hewitt had some choice words for the event being so close to the final Grand Slam of the season.

“We’ve had a few guys this week pretty banged up – and it’s only really our locker room knows that,” said the former World No.1 following his team's qualification. “It would have been very easy for a few of my boys to not turn up this week, but they’ve come and they put on the green and gold, and done absolutely everything I’ve asked of them. I’m super proud.
“To try and ask players to play the second day after a grand slam finishes, it’s not easy. In the old format, I used to have to do it, but you’d at least have until the Friday before you had to play."

After defeating France and the Czech Republic in their first two qualifying ties, Australia was guaranteed a spot at the Davis Cup Finals. This meant their final tie against Spain was a dead rubber, with the hosts also already through to the Finals.

"That’s the stupid part of this format, isn’t it? You know, I can keep saying it,” added Hewitt. “But the format is what it is, and we’ll do what we need to do to get through and give ourselves a chance of hopefully holding up the trophy."