The controversial 25-year deal between the International Tennis Federation and Gerard Pique’s Kosmos group to run the Davis Cup is ending after lower than 5 years.
In saying the partnership in August 2018, Kosmos founder and former Barcelona and Spain footballer Pique promised to plough three billion US {dollars} into tennis and mentioned the deal secured the way forward for the historic competitors, which started in 1900.
It was massively divisive, with the association largely scrapping the home-and-away format, which noticed nations host particular person ties in opposition to different nations in knockout rounds, in favour of a World Cup type occasion.
The ITF insisted there is no such thing as a instant risk to the competitors however its future now seems distinctly unclear.
The assertion learn: “The ITF can confirm that its partnership with Kosmos Tennis for Davis Cup is ending.
“The ITF has ensured financial contingencies are in place and, as the custodian of the competition, will operate the 2023 qualifiers and finals as scheduled, with the Final 8 taking place in Malaga, Spain, this November.
“The ITF negotiated a strong deal for tennis in 2018. The partnership increased participation, prize money and interest in Davis Cup and produced funding to support the global development of our sport.
“As well as being focused on delivering another spectacular edition of the men’s World Cup of Tennis, we are focused on the future growth of the largest annual international team competition in sport.”
The Kosmos deal got here after a few years of debate about one of the best ways ahead for Davis Cup, which was struggling to draw the perfect gamers constantly, whereas internet hosting ties was difficult financially and logistically for federations.
But the transfer away from the house and away format that many felt was the essence of Davis Cup was massively unpopular with followers, whereas Great Britain, whose run to the 2015 title was performed in entrance of packed arenas, and Australia have been among the many nations that voted in opposition to the deal.
The inaugural version of the Kosmos run competitors came about in Madrid in 2019 and noticed low attendances for many matches not involving Spain and scheduling difficulties.
Organisers continued to make modifications to the format in an effort to draw extra followers, consideration and funding, whereas the Covid-19 pandemic hit Davis Cup onerous, with the 2020 version cancelled.
Last 12 months’s event noticed 4 nations together with Britain host a gaggle stage in September earlier than the quarter-finals, semi-finals and closing came about in Malaga, Spain in November.
Canada lifted the trophy and organisers declared the occasion a “great success”, saying 176,740 spectators attended the group stage and finals in comparison with simply over 100,000 in 2021.
But it was clear the sums weren’t including up for Kosmos and there will likely be many questions on the place the competitors and the ITF go from right here.
