ZCZC
BSP-18
TENNIS-FEDCUP-ITF
Budapest to host revamped 12-team Fed Cup finals
LONDON, June 28, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – An overhaul of the Fed Cup format will
see 12 nations compete in a six-day event in Budapest from 2020-2022 with a
huge boost in prize money on offer, the International Tennis Federation
announced on Thursday.
This year’s finalists, Australia and France, hosts Hungary and one yet to
be confirmed wild card nation will be joined by the winners from eight
qualifying matches to be held in February.
The tournament will be played on clay with the first outing of the new
format from April 14-19 April 2020.
A total prize pot of $18 million will be offer with $12 million going to
players and $6 million to national tennis associations.
The finals will feature four groups of three teams, with the winners
progressing to the semi-finals and final. All matches will consist of two
singles and one doubles.
However, the rebrand has not gone down well in some quarters, especially
with the Czech Republic who have won six of the last eight editions including
last season.
“It’s a model that goes against the national federations. When, as a
member, I was acquainted with the changes, I pulled out of an ITF committee
in protest,” Czech Tennis Federation president Ivo Kaderka was quoted as
saying by Tenisovy svet tennis newssite.
Petr Pala, the Czech captain, told the Czech News Agency (CTK): “I’m
against it but unfortunately this is reality.
“As regards the April date, it’s clear they only have April and the end of
the year, and I think April is unfortunate. If they wanted to succeed, they
should have held it after all or at least three of the Grand Slams.”
The move to reform the Fed Cup comes after a similar overhaul of the Davis
Cup in men’s tennis that will see 18 teams compete for the title and $20m of
prize money in the inaugural finals in Madrid this November.
“The launch of the Fed Cup Finals will create a festival of tennis that
elevates this flagship women’s team competition to a new level, yet remains
loyal to the historic core of the Fed Cup,” said ITF President David
Haggerty.
The previous format, which saw the eight-team World Group decided over
three ties separated over the course of the season, was criticised for being
too strung out and not protecting player welfare which led many top players
to stop representing their countries.
“The format respects the existing women’s tennis calendar by reducing Fed
Cup to two weeks of competition in existing Fed Cup weeks, and supporting
player health through the extension of the off season by moving the Finals
from November to April.” added the ITF.
BSS/AFP/BZC/2010HRS