Davis Cup: Achievement is only partially worthwhile - do you need ATP points again?
The more successful a nation does in the Davis Cup final tournament, the more prize money the association and players get. But one important facet is missing (again).
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Nov 28, 2021, 12:52 pm
If one day the big book about the Davis Cup days in Innsbruck 2021 is written, then a separate chapter would have to be dedicated to Tomas Machac. Because the young Czech breaded two seasoned veterans in Richard Gasquet and Daniel Evans, giving his team two individual points - and maybe a little extra prize money. Nobody really knows, the ITF has reduced the payments compared to the first time the final tournament was held two years ago.
In terms of world rankings, Machac brought the two coups against Gasquet and Evans exactly nada. ATP points are currently not being distributed as part of the most traditional team competition in tennis. That was not always so. A few years ago, performances in the national jersey were worth it on several levels. However, nothing speaks against a return to the old regulation.
Bonds from the ATP Cup
Because the argument that players would forego starting at the same time ATP tournaments due to the advertised world ranking points no longer applies to the new mode. A few Challenger tournaments are currently taking place, the ATP season at the highest level was ceremoniously ended last Sunday in Turin. The qualification week for the finals in spring was also entered on the tennis calendar without competition. There can be no sporting objections anyway: Two sets of wins are played, as is the case with regular ATP events. In doubles in the Davis Cup even more has to be done, the third round is played.
The distribution of the points could be based on the ATP Cup - there are gradations depending on the strength of the opponent and the tournament stage. It is obvious that a success by Jannik Sinner in Turin against John Isner has to be rewarded better than the victory of Andrey Rublev against Roberto Quiroz in Madrid. In any case, Tomas Machac desperately needed points: The 21-year-old is in the current ATP world rankings at position 143. With the victories against Gasquet and Evans, he could have moved further towards the double-digit chart position. Which would also have financial implications - namely the direct qualification for the Grand Slam tournaments.
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