Category: Davis Cup

Davis Cup, Davis Cup 2019, Davis Cup 2020, TennisLeave a comment

A logistical nightmare. Why the new Davis Cup format needs a rethink for 2020 and beyond!

iainfordyce

At the beginning of the week Davis Cup ‘bashing’ seemed to be a trend on social media and in press. I thought it was sad and childish despite obvious logistical problems the event faced constant comments on issues. For the first few days I didn’t see any posts about the matches but about the problems and that was a shame. This piece isn’t about ‘bashing’ the event but learning from the first of the revamp and changes that need to be considered for the next event. A lot of pre-tournament unrest about the format was that people in the game … Continue reading A logistical nightmare. Why the new Davis Cup format needs a rethink for 2020 and beyond!

Davis Cup, Roberto Bautista Agut, TennisLeave a comment

Admiration for Agut as Spain win the Davis Cup!

iainfordyce

The Davis Cup has received a lot of criticism (some fair, some not so) over the course of the week but the feeling of cheering on your country and for the players representing their respective countries never goes away. Spain were worthy winners led by Rafael Nadal, with also added experience of Feliciano Lopez, Marcel Granollers & Pablo Carreno Busta. There is one player I missed out and that is Roberto Bautista Agut. What this guy has done this week is quite incredible. Throughout the course of the year he has produced magical moments on the court. He also is … Continue reading Admiration for Agut as Spain win the Davis Cup!

Davis Cup, Davis Cup 2019, TennisLeave a comment

Time to worry? One month until the Davis Cup Finals and tickets aren’t selling!

iainfordyce

There is a month to go until the Davis Cup Finals. It is the first of the new format which will be held at the Caja Magica in Madrid. Investment from the Kosmos Group led by Gerard Pique and a new sponsor Rakuten who are sponsors of Barcelona Football Club which Gerard plays for struck a multimillion pound deal with the ITF to revamp the competition. The revamp hasn’t gone down well with fans with knockout stages held in one location now taking away that home and away feeling of the competition which they hope to improve but the main … Continue reading Time to worry? One month until the Davis Cup Finals and tickets aren’t selling!

ATP, Davis Cup, Jonas Forejtek, TennisLeave a comment

A busy few weeks; US Open junior champion & Davis Cup hero!

iainfordyce

Jonas Forejtek has had a busy few weeks. This has been Jonas’ first major year and hasn’t even played a main draw tour match yet but has been hitting the headlines. Jonas turned 18 in March and before that started the year picking up the junior boys doubles title down at Melbourne Park with Dalibor Svrcina. A couple of months after turning 18 the Czech teenager made his second junior appearance at Wimbledon going out in round one again but in the doubles won once again. This win was with Jiri Lehecka also from the Czech Republic. Jonas who has … Continue reading A busy few weeks; US Open junior champion & Davis Cup hero!

Casper Ruud, Davis Cup, Davis Cup 2019, TennisLeave a comment

Casper Ruud leads Norway into Davis Cup Play-Off’s

iainfordyce

NextGen star Casper Ruud has led his country into the play-offs of the Davis Cup. The 20 year old from Norway spends a lot of his time at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca and I had the pleasure of seeing him in Madrid qualifiers earlier this year. His game stood out to me as someone who could go far in the game. Roger Federer said after their meeting at Roland Garros he will be top 50 and hopefully top 20 in the future. His game his built on his strong inside out forehand which gives him a lot of … Continue reading Casper Ruud leads Norway into Davis Cup Play-Off’s

Davis Cup, Davis Cup 2019, TennisLeave a comment

Gerard Pique says it’s the ‘project of his life’ but low ticket sales for knockout stages & questions over ‘favouritism’ in scheduling opens up early problems for Davis Cup Finals

iainfordyce

Tickets are on sale, the draw is out and the scheduling has raised some questions ahead of the first of the new Davis Cup Finals in Madrid. The event will be held at the Caja Magica which I visited this year and is home to the Mutua Madrid Open. The courts will be hard courts which will be hidden by an overlay making it a hard court. The event will be indoors so the roof will be shut on all three stadium courts. Training courts is unknown. At the back of the Caja Magica is a bridge with access to … Continue reading Gerard Pique says it’s the ‘project of his life’ but low ticket sales for knockout stages & questions over ‘favouritism’ in scheduling opens up early problems for Davis Cup Finals

Davis Cup, Davis Cup 2019, TennisLeave a comment

Gerard Pique out to prove critics wrong but admits he ‘prays’ the best will be fit enough and not tired to play

iainfordyce

Gerard Pique has a battle on his hands. Roger Federer has already called in the Pique Cup as of others and the Barcelona defender has said at the Davis Cup draw he hates that name. Lleyton Hewitt has criticised Pique’s involvement in the sport and the changes made. Berdych and Zverev have also been critical of the new format and despite helping his country progress to the finals Alex Zverev has said he will not be there. Now the sweat is on. Pique in an interview following the draw in Madrid said that he understands players will be tired at … Continue reading Gerard Pique out to prove critics wrong but admits he ‘prays’ the best will be fit enough and not tired to play