Anderson picks ATP over ITF on Davis Cup quagmire

PUNE: Choosing between bread and butter and the honour to play for the country was not difficult for the World No 6 and Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson as the South African blasted the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for not collaborating enough with the players before bringing in drastic changes in the Davis Cup format.

Anderson, who has been top seeded at the ATP Tour 250 Tata Open Maharashtra tennis tournament here, gave his full support to the ATP Cup, which the players’ body has introduced at the same time when formatted Davis Cup would be held from next year.

The ITF at its recent AGM approved changes in the format, introducing one-week Davis Cup Finals instead of home and away format.

“It’s (ATP Cup) further going to increase the exposure and popularity. We are very focussed on strengthening the ATP Cup. I can’t speak too much from ITF on Davis Cup, they have been doing their own thing but they did not really collaborate with the players as closely we would have liked.

“It’s better than the last year which is a positive but it is also something which is out of players’ hands as we do not have any say in what they do,” said Anderson during an interaction on Monday.

The ATP Cup will begin in January 2020—six weeks after the inaugural Davis Cup finals—which prompted World No 1 Novak Djokovic to say that the short period between the two tournaments may result in two average events coming up.

“We have to keep developing and promoting the game, make it attractive and player friendly. It’s never going to be ideal for everybody but we try to make the best decisions all the time. All those changes will have a positive effect on the game,” Anderson, who is part of the ATP’s Players Council, said.

Anderson, who beat Roger Federer en route the Wimbledon final, was also supportive of the new structure being introduced which will allow only 750 ranked players on the Pro circuit.

GOOD FOR THE SPORT
Anderson, however, begged to differ when asked if this cut off would discourage players from taking up a sport.

“The amount of people making living playing tennis, is more than ever. Nobody is making a living at 800 in the world. Before it was top-100 now it is 75.

“In my opinion, it is good for ATP’s image to have a cut-off, where people who are ranked much higher. Like PGA, there are 750 players how to have Tour cards, you earn your spot there. Anyone knows if you have a card what level they are in the rest of the world. With ATP introducing this new system, it is very positive,” he said.

Anderson said the 2018 season turned to be great for him as he ticked a few boxes like making the London year-end tournament, winning more than one tournament, winning an ATP 500, and to top it all making it to the Wimbledon final.

He felt that though the Grand Slams are being taken by the triumvirate of Federer, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, the 2019 season may see a new face laying his claim on one of the trophies.

“It is going to be interesting because Novak has re-established himself at the top of the game, Rafa (Rafael Nadal) is coming back from the injuries, if he is healthy he will be a contender at every tournament he plays.