Davis Cup 2017 World Group R1 - Canada v Great Britain - 3-5 February

philwrig · Hall of fame

RE: Davis Cup 2017 World Group R1 - GB v tbc - 3-5 February

JonH · All-time great

Hi Philwrig - for 2017 it looks like they have moved the last 16 forwards to just after the Oz Open, but they have also moved the quarters to early April now, and there is no play in that week after Wimbledon. To be fair, that was a tough week after the heavy summer period with the FO and AEC, so maybe that was part of the plan and to accomodate it they needed to move the other two rounds. Not sure beyond that guess to be honest, but the change applies to 2017 and 2018 according to the ATP Calendar on their website...it means DC is in Feb, Apr, then a gap to Sept and final in Nov.

indiana · Tennis legend

That's a reversion to 2014 ( and maybe before ).

In 2014 we played in the US in the week after the Australian Open and in Italy in early April.

philwrig · Hall of fame

JonH wrote:
Hi Philwrig - for 2017 it looks like they have moved the last 16 forwards to just after the Oz Open, but they have also moved the quarters to early April now, and there is no play in that week after Wimbledon. To be fair, that was a tough week after the heavy summer period with the FO and AEC, so maybe that was part of the plan and to accomodate it they needed to move the other two rounds. Not sure beyond that guess to be honest, but the change applies to 2017 and 2018 according to the ATP Calendar on their website...it means DC is in Feb, Apr, then a gap to Sept and final in Nov.

Sounds like a good idea, playing straight after slams is never ideal, but at least after the 1st slam of the season, they should be fresher.

philwrig · Hall of fame

indiana wrote:
That's a reversion to 2014 ( and maybe before ).

In 2014 we played in the US in the week after the Australian Open and in Italy in early April.

Good spot, I can now remember following that match on my phone from my hotel room in Budapest and having a joke with Judy M and Iain B the next morning at breakfast when bringing up the subject of the Superbowl as well when talking about the major overnight sporting events.

indiana · Tennis legend

It does seem a particularly strong World Group next year with in theory some very strong #1s and many with strong #2s plus.

8 nations have players in the current top 9 in the rankings and all the top 9 come from these nations. So in theory could be some big #1 vs #1 matches.

1. Serbia
2. Great Britain
3. Switzerland ( plus 7. Fed )
4. Spain
5. Japan
6. Canada
8. France
9. Czech Republic

3 more have their top player in the top 15.

11. Croatia
14. Belgium
15. Australia

The remainder ( including USA and Argentina ! ) have their current top ranked player in the top 50.

23. USA
27. Germany
35. Italy
41. Argentina
46. Russia

JonH · All-time great

indiana wrote:
I would pretty much leave as is but hold it every two years.

Increases the prestige in a way by being less frequent and if just every odd year ( avoid Olympic year ) I am pretty sure more top players would plan for and commit so more 'authentic' winners through the rounds and in the final.

The best of 5 ( but final set TBs please ) sets it more apart and you have more epic matches like Andy vs Del Potro, and the many other great 5 setters and comebacks, and the can he / will he play all 3 days. And yes the home and away is great, with atmospheres pretty unique to Davis Cup and it would indeed need very good marketing to make a neutral final four really special.

But essentially to me they have got the product. They are ignoring the most obvious solution to the 'too much' issue and considering changing / diluting it for the worse.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 21st of September 2016 02:49:04 PM

I noticed Andy was being quoted as supportive of the 3 sets idea and possibly playing over 2 days each weekend instead of 3 days, but was opposed to the neutral venue idea - so largely in line with many of us on the forum

indiana · Tennis legend

JonH wrote:
indiana wrote:
I would pretty much leave as is but hold it every two years.

Increases the prestige in a way by being less frequent and if just every odd year ( avoid Olympic year ) I am pretty sure more top players would plan for and commit so more 'authentic' winners through the rounds and in the final.

The best of 5 ( but final set TBs please ) sets it more apart and you have more epic matches like Andy vs Del Potro, and the many other great 5 setters and comebacks, and the can he / will he play all 3 days. And yes the home and away is great, with atmospheres pretty unique to Davis Cup and it would indeed need very good marketing to make a neutral final four really special.

But essentially to me they have got the product. They are ignoring the most obvious solution to the 'too much' issue and considering changing / diluting it for the worse.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 21st of September 2016 02:49:04 PM
I noticed Andy was being quoted as supportive of the 3 sets idea and possibly playing over 2 days each weekend instead of 3 days, but was opposed to the neutral venue idea - so largely in line with many of us on the forum

Ah, guess he's not right all the time

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Me, I am definitely a 5 set man, luck plays too greater part over 3 sets and for me as the only elite team tennis tournament I would like to see the best team win it.

Generally part of that is having a truely elite player, Del Potro in current form ticks that box as Andy did last year, playing out of his skin, fighting through 5 set epic battles to the bussiness. That's the Davis cup brand, don't diminish it, it brings elite tennis and generates an audience in many countries simultaneously igniting the interest of potential fans not drawn to GS singles tennis or just not exposed to it.

steven · Tennis legend

GB will play Canada away in R1 (the draw by lot went the wrong way!)

indiana · Tennis legend

Away ( drawn by lot ) vs Canada

( was sure we were about to get Spain when it came down to 3 possible opponents )

If we beat Canada we are away to Japan or France in the QF.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

So, our possible route to the final

L16: Canada (Away)
QF: Japan (Away)
SF: Spain (Away)
Final: Argentina (Away)

The fans piggy banks could be taking a hammering.

#AirMiles

steven · Tennis legend

GB's full route to the title: (-A & -H with the obvious meanings!)

R1: CAN-A
QF: (6) FRA-A or JPN-A
SF: (2) CRO-H, (8) SRB-H, RUS-A or ESP-A
FN: (1) ARG-A, (4) CZE-H , (5) SUI-H, (7) BEL-H, ITA-H, GER-H, AUS-A or USA-A

JonH · All-time great

Tough draw throughout really! Canada away is winnable I would say, though, Andy usually does for Raonic and I would expect him to win second singles and hopefully pick up the other singles match v second string. Doubles would be a tight one though. But winnable overall. Canada in Feb after Aus Open, guess it is on one of the routes home for the guys and surface would be indoor hard presumably ?!

France or Japan away in April would be tough - France would possibly choose clay (Guadolope again maybe??) and Japan have a tough team so I wouldnt fancy those ties away from home. Semis dont look any easier unless somehow Russia makes it, and final is too far away to really take a view...probably in tougher half of draw as well...

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Davis Cup 2017 World Group R1 - Canada v Great Britain - 3-5 February