The International Tennis Federation (ITF) is defending its current Davis Cup format. This comes amid growing pressure from top tennis players and ATP leaders to bring back the traditional home-and-away system.
The tournament’s new Chief Executive, Ross Hutchins, told Reuters that the revamped format continues to attract “huge support” and sees strong participation.
Critics, including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi argue that the competition should revert to its roots, with ties played in national stadiums and a two-year cycle.
The traditional structure was abandoned in 2019, and although home-and-away ties were partly restored this year, calls for a full return have persisted.
Hutchins pointed to the success of recent “Final 8” events, held over a single week as evidence that the current set-up works. He noted an increase in country participation. “More players have played this year than ever before … a huge amount of nations are participating in this competition and therefore, we have to embrace that side of the thinking as well.”
The ITF chief added that the governing body remains open to dialogue with players, fans, and national federations. “We’re always open to a conversation … to listen to their opinions,” Hutchins said. The federation has committed to staying in Bologna for the next three years as part of its Final 8 cycle but appears open to further evaluations as the format evolves.
This year’s Final 8 is without world number one Alcaraz, a late withdrawal from the Spanish team due to injury, while Italy’s Sinner, the number two, decided to prioritise his preparations for his Australian Open title defence in January.
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