Doubles nice Mark Woodforde says tennis chiefs ought to bid to convey Davis Cup tennis again to Australia following the success of Lleyton Hewitt’s group in making the ultimate in Malaga.
Under the Cup’s new format, it is nearly sure residence followers will not subsequent 12 months get an opportunity to salute the primary Australian outfit to succeed in the ultimate for 19 years – mockingly, due to the group’s surprising success in Spain.
The two finalists – Australia and victors Canada – have earned an automated place in subsequent September’s group levels, thus bypassing February’s qualifying ties which can have been the one sensible likelihood for Australian followers to see them in residence motion in 2023.
The group stage venues have but to be determined however the last will once more be in Malaga subsequent November, following essentially the most profitable version but of the week-long, knock-out format.
But Woodforde, one-half of the good ‘Woodies’ doubles group with Todd Woodbridge and now chairman of the International Tennis Federation’s Davis Cup Committee, believes the onus is on Australian tennis chiefs to convey again the World Cup occasion.
“Tennis Australia should step up and put in a bid for hosting,” the 17-time grand slam doubles champion and former Olympic gold medallist informed AAP in Malaga.
“Like any country, if they’re keen on hosting and welcoming a group stage or even the finals, it’s open that they can.
“I do know the worth of taking part in at residence could be very expensive. All the three finals I performed have been sadly all away, so I by no means acquired to ever have that pleasure of taking part in at residence. But that risk is there for Australian gamers.”
David Haggerty, the ITF President, was asked by AAP if he was worried the Davis Cup format worked against Australia, the 28-times champions, in that their success meant no home tie in 2023.
“Why cannot they host? I imply, it is not unexpected that Australia might host the finals sooner or later. Certainly a gaggle stage as properly,” he responded.
“We know the way sturdy Australia is. Has nice Davis Cup DNA. So, they’re accessible to host in September in the event that they put in a bid by the method.”
That’s all very well in theory, but Hewitt is sceptical that the group stages or finals would be accommodated near the end of a long season for players who wouldn’t want another draining trek to the other side of the world.
“I do not just like the probabilities of this last sequence ever being performed in Australia,” admitted former Davis Cup-winning player Hewitt, who’s a long-standing critic of the tinkering with the old traditional format of home-and-away, five-sets-a-rubber ties.
He was also unimpressed last week by the fact the final and the Australians’ quarter-final win over the Netherlands didn’t feature a doubles match.
“I felt upset for the Dutch group. They’ve acquired two high quality doubles who do all of the onerous work all 12 months to return and carry out within the so-called largest stage of the 12 months, and they do not get the possibility to play a match.
“I thought that’s a failing in this concept the whole time, and no-one is listening.
“So I can speak ’til I’m blue within the face, however nothing’s altering proper now. Certain individuals put band-aids on issues, it is not fixing the issue.
“I came up playing with the best doubles team in the world, the Woodies. I can’t imagine, for the life of me, that they come into this format and don’t get to play a match? I don’t think that’s right.”
