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Madrid - Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is part of a
consortium planning a World Cup of tennis tournament to revive the fortunes of
the tired Davis Cup format.
The plans which would see the whole tournament take place in
one location have been backed by leading players such as Andy Murray, Novak
Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
"I think that it's a really exciting idea. If it comes
off, I think it would be a very, very good thing for tennis," said Murray
after his defeat to Borna Coric at the Madrid Masters on Thursday.
Pique was in the Spanish capital on Monday and Tuesday this
week with negotiations on-going on when and where such a tournament could fit
into the packed tennis schedule.
"Tennis needs an event like that, and I think it would
be very good," added Murray.
The current Davis Cup format sees matches spread over three
days in February, April, September and November, which the International Tennis
Federation (ITF) have been reluctant to change.
As a result many of the sport's biggest stars have turned
their back on the competition in order to prioritise preparations for Grand
Slams.
"For many years they have been static," Nadal said
of the ITF.
"They haven't moved with the times or looked for new
solutions."
"Pique is part of a group that wants to create a World
Cup that would be a great and very interesting tournament to compete in.
"It would be a fantastic initiative if it goes through
and hopefully it will."
Djokovic also backed the plans after saying he had met
personally with Pique "several times."
"The schedule is quite complicated, but I'm really glad
that there are people like Gerard that are willing to invest the time and
energy to make this game better," said the Serb.
"Hopefully it's going to come to life."
