The Davis Cup Finals, formerly known as the tennis world cup will take place this November from 18th to 24th. The tournament has attracted 18 teams under the new changes that were rolled out this year. The new format is made up of 12 qualifiers, last year’s semifinalist and two wild card nations.
The new changes to this tournament have raised mixed reactions, with a section of tennis enthusiasts opposing the new format while others are supporting it. A lot of criticism has been directed to the way this year’s showpiece will be played. The top teams in the six groups will qualify to the quarterfinals, and they will be joined with the best two runners up. The final will be determined through a doubles match.
Gerard Pique in full support of the new look Davis Cup
Regardless of the noise surrounding this competition, Gerard Pique has strongly defended it. He believes this year’s Davis Cup will go down as one of the best in the history of this season-ending nations competition.
Piqué: "Hopefully Nadal can come. I know Djokovic has been suffering from elbow problems, I hope he is here next week."
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) November 14, 2019
The Barcelona defender is not moved by the news making rounds about the possibility of Nadal and Djokovic not participating. He is hopeful the two great tennis players will make it to Madrid to represent their countries.
“I’m nervous. I want it to start. Hopefully, Nadal can come. I know Djokovic has been suffering from elbow problems, I hope he is here next week. This Davis Cup is different. It has been a long road. It will work out very well,” he said.
Alexander Zverev and Roger Federer out of the Davis Cup
Already, Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev announced that they would not be representing their countries in the upcoming tennis showpiece. The Swiss said that he deemed it fit to take some time off the court to be with his family. However, he will be participating in a series of exhibition matches alongside Alexander Zverev, who also withdrew from the competition. The German does not fancy the idea of the tournament being played in a spun of one week.
Gerard Pique also expressed his desire to attend the Davis Cup in Madrid. His company, Kosmos, has been at the forefront in planning and funding this event. The Spaniard highly regards the chance to come to Madrid which will host the Davis Cup Finals.
“Madrid is like my second home. I have never had any problems there. People greet me on the street, ask for photos. The rivalry can only be seen on the pitch,” he admitted.
Nadal in London, ranking, and results in 2019
Now ranked no.1, Nadal has a 52-7 win-loss record in 2019. The Spaniard is currently playing in London where he ousted Daniil Medvedev 6-73 6-3 7-64 and Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-74 6-4 7-5.
Novak Djokovic’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.2, Novak played his last match on the 14th of November when he had to surrender to Roger Federer 6-4 6-3 in the R in London.
This year Djokovic has a 54-11 win-loss record. Djokovic has won 5 titles in 2019 at the Australian Open, in Madrid, in Wimbledon, in Tokyo and in Paris. Djokovic was the finalist in Rome.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic played each other 54 times. The head to head is 28-26 for Djokovic.
The last time that they played each other, Rafael Nadal won 6-0 4-6 6-1 in the final in Rome on the 19th May 2019.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |
