Forgot to say, Ellison pitching to host 2021 revamped version at IW. This was reported by the press I notice now a couple of days ago.
www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-6035993/Gerard-Piques-plans-revamp-Davis-Cup-backed-American-billionaire-Larry-Ellison.html

The French FFT approved the proposals by 61%, so hardly a ringing endorsement. US support is hardly surprising as the final looks like it'll be based at Indian Wells.

I also note the itf article is all about the business aspects - that's all that seems to matter to them.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/45174860

Germans don/t seem like it !

I know Andy does watch a lot of tennis but he is not a 'normal' spectator and he was working on the Nadal vs Del Porto match so that definitely isn't a normal spectating experience. He was maybe fed up commenting 

And it has struck me for a while that a lot of folk associated with tennis seem to speak for the general spectator in saying oh these matches are too long for them.

Most particularly in Davis Cup I think most spectators enjoy the 5 set experience ( and atmosphere of home and away ties ). Slams I am not so sure but I don't think it is the issue some other than the spectators are saying. I haven't seen any spectator polls on the subject?

Just don't have no tiebreak final sets !!! ( Evo in his chat with Mike Cation was incidentally not just in favour of 5 sets but also no final set TBs and was very uncertain about various proposed changes in tennis he was hearing about such as shot clocks ).

That's very good news. Finally someone standing up for the GB fans. (Link didn't work for me though)

steven wrote:

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Stu Fraser breaks the news that the LTA will vote against the changes to DC tomorrow!

Full statement from the LTA:

www.lta.org.uk/about-us/tenn...s-cup-changes/

I can think of lots of other reasons too, but those are valid and diplomatic. The LTA voting "no" doesn't make sure the changes won't pass but it's got be a huge help.

As Simon Briggs says: "Impressive backbone showed by LTA's new chief exec Scott Lloyd as he stands up to Wimbledon and says no to the Kosmos reforms of Davis Cup. Statement just out. LTA's 12 votes will be against."

Thanks to everyone who emailed the LTA or helped to make the case (and the weight of fan support for a 'no' vote) clear on social media. I doubt the battle for DC's survival is anywhere near over, even if "no" does win tomorrow, but it's a start and hopefully means that at least we won't end up with anything like Piqué's idea.

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Thanks Steven for this but far more for your much wider time and lobbying in respect of protecting the Davis Cup. As I said that was certainly my general gut feeling about British fans. And it looks clear that there has been strong negative opinion to the changes on social media. Great that that seems to have been taken on board, ie indeed what the fans appear to think as opposed to other people trying to express the fans views, either as they honestly imagine it or maybe sometimes disingenuously.

Of course sometimes it is easier to rally loud opinion against rather than for change and not be necessarily reflective of the majority. But here I think it probably is.

Good diplomatic stuff from the LTA in saying that they recognise that reform is needed, but through longer term consensus. They avoid actually saying - "rather than the attempt to railroad through such major changes without that much consensus" - but that's effectively the point.

The ATP will be pleased with the LTA's decision, as I understand they have an alternative proposal for the Davis Cup. When I met Leon recently he was giving a speech about his most memorable Davis Cup moments and most of them involved 5 setters. So I then asked him if he is in favour of 5 setters remaining and he thought it should be 3 sets up to the final and then 5 sets for the final only. I don't agree and thought that a lot of his most memorable moments might not have happened if they were only 3 sets.

Other sports simply co-ordinate their calendar due to major events. Make the Davis Cup bi-annually or every four years while increasing the size of the competition and surely the ATP could alter their schedule on those specific years to accommodate. Hosting it each year dilutes the value of winning it in my opinion, since a lot of the best players don't compete each year.