"The reality is that we have come here by listening to everyone" - Davis Cup director backs current format but open to change in future

The competition's tournament director Feliciano Lopez has fought back at criticism regarding the controversial format of the current Davis Cup Finals, confessing that he is open to change.

The Davis Cup format has come under constant scrutiny by many, most notably some of the regular players. One of the claims have been to bring back home and away ties, a once popular feature scrapped for what is now the Finals in one location, this year Bologna.

"It's nothing new. So many things have been said about the Davis Cup format... practically since I started playing, I have heard different ideas, formats, to involve the best players," Lopez admitted. "In the era when I was playing, it was said that the best didn't play. The reality is that we have come here by listening to everyone. The ITF has listened to captains, federations, players... to get to this point. I think it is a significant advancement to be able to play another round in September, with the home and away format, the one we historically had and that is the essence of this competition. It's already two rounds like that, and the Finals product was a success in Malaga.

While the criticism keeps flying in, the Spaniard is not prepared to ignore it. "We are open to keep listening to people, especially to all the parties involved in the world of tennis, to try, if possible, to improve," he stated. "It doesn't mean it has to be played every two years, but we are open to continue listening to everyone so that this format can be the best possible. I think we have reached a good understanding, and having another round in September plus the format of the Finals with 8 teams... worked very well in Malaga, and I am convinced it will be the same here. Italian tennis is experiencing its best moment in history, and we will be here for three years with a format that we believe is good. That said, we continue to be open to hearing from everyone: it is very important that there is good collaboration among all so that the Davis Cup has the place it deserves in the world of tennis"

The two-time reigning champions, Italy have recently enjoyed a lot of success in the Davis Cup. The Finals have been held in Spain the last five years, with Malaga boasting the rights for the last three. This is the first time it has been in Italy since 1998, in which Lopex explains.

"The Finals remain in Europe, which I think is important: many of the players come from Paris or Turin. We come from Malaga, which I think was successful for many reasons, as Malaga is a city that has grown a lot and has a lot to offer a tennis fan who, in addition to watching their country play, can make the most of their stay for other things; Bologna also offers this, with many things in addition to the competition... and I think it's very positive to be here," Lopez said. "Italian tennis is at the peak of its history, and I am not only speaking of Sinner, as Sinner's situation is extraordinary, but there is a large number of Italian players who deserve their place. Tennis is very popular in Italy now: in terms of sponsorships, interest, young people see Jannik Sinner on TV and idolize him... gradually, it is an ideal place for tennis to continue growing within its ecosystem."

Many players, amongst them the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner, have queried for the Davis Cup to be held biannually. Thus, offering the players more time to rest and recuperate in the off-season and motivating them more to compete. However, Lopez has debunked these claims as he labels it 'in a good place.'

"What I believe, and I have said it before, is that we have reached this format by talking to everyone. There has been a significant effort between the ITF, federations, captains, players... the game has been played in different formats these years and we have arrived here after talking to everyone," Lopez confidently said. "I think we are in a good place. The incorporation of another round like the ones before is very positive for the competition, giving countries the opportunity to play at least two series in their country, while the format with 8 teams in Malaga worked very well, it was a resounding success."

Alexender Zverev is the only top 10 player who is competing in the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna with Alcaraz, Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti all pulling out. "Speaking of commitment is like flipping a coin. We see it continually on the circuit: what a player thinks today can be different in a year and a half. I experienced it as a player and, working in Madrid, I still see it. It happens with the two-week Masters 1000... in the end, tennis is constantly changing, and the players' preferences also change. There is a group of players for whom one thing is beneficial, for another group another (smiles), so getting everyone to agree is never easy. What I said before, and I maintain, is that we are happy with what we have now. I think it's worth betting on this format for these three years, but we are open to continue collaborating with everyone to find, if there is one, something better."