The Davis Cup needed to change in order to be revived into the spectacle it once was. Not a single player, coach, or national association will argue that. What was once a worldwide showpiece has seen declining attendance and few top tier players participate. The dispute and controversy comes in the \u201chow.\u201d The ITF clearly had the majority of delegates supporting the new format, with 71.43% in favor during the vote at its annual meeting in Orlando on Wednesday. And, this very change has left players and federations tweeting, posting and snapping. And, it\u2019s official:\u00a0#RIPDavisCup is trending.<\/p>\n
The Czech Republic Davis Cup team <\/strong>posted on Facebook<\/a>k, \u201cWe are sorry that the Davis Cup will never be what it was.\u201d <\/em>So, they\u2019re obviously disappointed.<\/p>\n \u201cFor us, the result is a bitter disappointment which has left us stunned\u201d<\/em> was the blast out from German Federation President Ulrich Klaus<\/strong><\/a>. Sounds like Alexander Zverev<\/strong> agrees \u2013 he\u2019s said he will not play Davis Cup under the new format.<\/p>\n In a statement tweeted<\/a> for all to see, Tennis Australia <\/strong>was \u201cextremely disappointed with the radical changes<\/em>\u201d.\u00a0Hometown Davis Cup hero Lleyton Hewitt<\/strong> echoes that sentiment with his Tweet \u201cSometimes it\u2019s more than a game. More than money. Most of my biggest highs and toughest loses came in 5 set epic Davis Cup matches in front of screaming home or away fans. For the ITF to take that away from the next generation of future stars is a disgrace.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Sometimes it\u2019s more than a game. More than money. Most of my biggest highs and toughest loses came in 5 set epic Davis Cup matches in front of screaming home or away fans. For the ITF to take that away from the next generation of future stars is a disgrace. #SorryDwightDavis<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/7Bx7Zdilcn<\/a><\/p>\n — Lleyton Hewitt (@lleytonhewitt) August 17, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n