Coco Gauff’s ex-coach says Davis Cup format ‘needs full revamp’
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images While the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup are prestigious events in tennis, not every player gives them top priority. Every now and then, it seems a fresh debate kicks off when a top player decides to sit out national duty, choosing instead to focus on their own schedule or simply take some time off. It happens fairly often, but still tends to draw criticism.
Brad Gilbert is the latest to weigh in on the issue. His comments weren’t directed at the players, though. Instead, he took aim at how the event itself is structured and even suggested a possible fix.
Brad Gilbert wants to see sweeping changes made to the Davis Cup Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images Speaking on the Big T podcast, the American coach, known for his time working with Andre Agassi and Coco Gauff, said: “I don’t like the format changes that have been made now. The greatness of the Davis Cup and the BJK Cup was home and away ties. “What needs fixing is the players need to support it.
If the players don’t support it, it doesn’t matter what it is. So that bothers me because way back in the day, it was one of the great events, a cornerstone of the calendar. “But we can say, it totally needs to be revamped, but if they do that, and the players don’t play, it’s a waste of time no matter what they do in my opinion.
” Nick Monroe, his co-host, pointed out that travel demands play a role too. He noted how some matchups force players into long journeys immediately after tournaments elsewhere. The timing of these comments came just after a weakened US team lost their Billie Jean King Cup tie against Belgium – a defeat few had predicted.