Published 18:09 IST, November 1st 2019
Gerard Pique wants to expand Davis Cup and Federer's participation
Gerard Pique's Kosmos company had last year announced plans to invest $3 billion over 25 years in the Davis Cup and persuaded the ITF to adopt the plan.
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Davis Cup is just around the corner and some of the best players in the world will be seen in action for their respective countries in the new format. The first edition of the new format will witness 18 teams play for the trophy over a week. The tournament is scheduled to take place next month at Madrid's Caja Magica.
Gerard Pique & Kosmos Group Davis Cup involvement
In February last year, Gerard Pique's Kosmos company had announced plans to invest $3 billion over 25 years in the Davis Cup and also persuaded the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to adopt the plans despite some players and fans opposing the idea.
Pique on Davis Cup finals
FC Barcelona player Gerard Pique is now looking at a larger picture as the Spaniard revealed that he wants to expand the Davis Cup finals to a two-week event featuring 24 teams. Speaking to a leading Spanish Radio network Pique said that It is a long-term project and the idea is, over time, to go to a two-week competition and 24 teams.
Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have been named in their team squad which was announced last week. The only major name missing from the competition is Roger Federer.
Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals take shape 🙌#DavisCupMadridFinals #byRakuten
— Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals (@DavisCupFinals) October 28, 2019
See you in November 👉https://t.co/RzUOQETjsJ
Source: @marca pic.twitter.com/aBwK4hJOaN
When Gerard Pique was asked about calling Roger Federer, Pique said that he always wanted to respect the process by first talking with his agent about the possibility of Switzerland [playing] in 2020. He said he would send a formal letter to Roger.
All 18 nations competing at the @DavisCupFinals have announced their teams ➡️ https://t.co/ldrhlZs8bT pic.twitter.com/3JlO4UgC71
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) October 25, 2019
Earlier, Pique had lashed out at the tennis player in an interview with a leading British media daily, by claiming that Federer perceives the revamped Davis Cup to be a threat. It bears noting that Federer's management company launched the Laver Cup in 2017 which has been a huge success and is considered as tennis' version of the hugely popular golf event, Ryder Cup.
16:41 IST, November 1st 2019