Djokovic calls for football-style Davis Cup

LONDON: World number one Novak Djokovic on Wednesday called for a football-style Davis Cup to help keep the 116-year-old tournament alive.

Djokovic inspired Serbia to its only Davis Cup triumph in 2010 but has, in common with many other top players, carefully selected which ties he will honour in a packed tour schedule.

The 29-year-old is due to play in the quarter-final against Andy Murray’s Great Britain in Belgrade from July 15-17 in the week after Wimbledon.

“I definitely stand for a change of format of the Davis Cup,” said 12-time Grand Slam title winner Djokovic.

“The format, as it is, doesn’t work anymore.”Djokovic wants the International Tennis Federation to rethink the schedule.

He pointed to the success of football where the World Cup and European championships are organised in group stages and played at one specific time of the year.