Davis Cup Captain Courier Criticizes Davis Cup Format

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 20th November 2012

Davis Cup Captain Courier Criticizes Davis Cup Format

epa03173529 US head coach Jim Courier is seen after US tennis player John Isner winning his match against French tennis player Gilles Simon during their Davis Cup quarterfinals tennis match in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 6 April 2012. EPA/GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO |

On an international level, it’s rare to hear Davis Cup captains heavily criticize the format, but US captains have been known to do so, from John McEnroe, to Patrick McEnroe, and now to the current captain Jim Courier.

“It’s been a great experience so far,” Courier told the Las Vegas Review Journal. “The challenge is the format itself. Winning won’t change interest in the Davis Cup in this country. The system is broken, and the ITF (International Tennis Federation) needs to think about changing it.”

The ITF has given no indication that it is thinking about changing anything substantial and has consistently stated that most of the world supports the current format, where the competition is played annually and no teams are given byes, even the defending champion and finalist. In order to win the Cup, a country has to play four times in a year, which can be taxing on the top players.

In 2012, three members of the tennis’ Big 4 didn’t play at all: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, but Roger Federer did play twice.

“There’s too many matches. You’re playing every year. The best players can’t fit it into their schedules and there’s nothing special about it. How’s that for starters?” Courier asked.

The United States Davis Cup team will play its 2013 first round tie in Jacksonville , Fla.

Courier can no longer call on the US ’s best singles player over the past decade, Andy Roddick, as he has now retired. John Isner, Mardy Fish and Sam Querrey will vie for singles spots.