Tennis: A deserted Davis Cup, Pique is tackled from all sides!

This week, the final phase of the Davis Cup takes place in the ATP calendar, the opportunity for many to return to Europe after a long American tour. The competition, which has lost its luster since the new format initiated by the takeover of Gerard Piqué’s company, Kosmos, is no longer at all the same as before. In the past, the Davis Cup was considered one of the biggest team competitions in the world of sport because the atmosphere was so different. Each time the subject comes up on social networks, the reactions follow, like yesterday when Stan Wawrinka posted a photo of the empty stands on social networks…

Created in 1900 by Dwight Davisthe Davis Cup and a team competition which takes place each year in several phases. Since 2019, a new format concerning the program and the matches has been put in place, which has greatly displeased many players. Indeed, before, all the elimination matches took place during a weekend at home or away and the matches were played in three winning sets. Obviously, the stands were full and the atmosphere was great. This is no longer the case and those responsible are regularly singled out.

Wawrinka sets the web on fire

Tuesday, for the first day of the final phase of the 2023 edition, France faced Switzerland from Stan Wawrinkatriple winner in Grand Slam. The 38-year-old posted a video of the empty stands for the match which demonstrates his anger towards theITF et Gerard Piqué. It didn’t take much time to generate reactions, starting with that of the former footballer. Accompanied by a screenshot showing the affluence of the Davis Cup last year, we can read: “You can compare for yourself. We no longer organize it. Ask the ITF. »

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Money over history

The Davis Cup is an exceptional competition that has marked decades. With the new format, many consider it dead and hold Pique as responsible with theITF who accepted a lot of money. But it is clear that the Davis Cup has a lot of difficulty generating interest now when we see the stands during matches. Indeed, the final phase pits 16 teams divided into 4 groups in 4 different cities against each other. Obviously, if two countries do not play on their land, it is very difficult to interest people…

Revolution next year?

Well aware of the difficulties surrounding the Davis Cupl’ITF must surely be thinking about how to change things. In fact, at the start of the year, the group’s contract Kosmoswhich bought the competition, was interrupted and Stan Wawrinka did not fail to emphasize this during his response to Gerard Piqué. “After a bad day on the court, this at least made me laugh!” It would be good to understand why the 25-year contract ended after 5 years if the success was so great last year…” can we read. This is indeed a winning blow sent right in the face.