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The Davis Cup Finals 2025 will conclude on Sunday, November 23. The tournament has been under fire for years since the format underwent a big change. Now, the world cup of tennis is under scrutiny once again.
The hosts of the Nothing Major podcast, John Isner, Steve Johnson, Jack Sock, and Sam Querrey, discussed the pros and cons of the current Davis Cup format on the latest episode. Johnson vehemently opposed the current format of the Davis Cup. He competed before the format was changed during his heyday, and always looked forward to playing with his compatriots as it was a pleasant change.
"It's awful. Davis Cup stinks. The format stinks now. Sucks for the guys that, it just sucks for the guys. Dude, you guys know how much fun we had those weeks. Like when we get there, you play one tie, three out of five, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Like I thought it was just great fellowship weeks with your team that you didn't often get to do, right? Everything's individual. So I love those weeks," Johnson said.
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Johnson was also in favor of bringing back the home and away ties format. Even if it doesn't happen every year, the organizers should think of incorporating it at least every two years or so.
"Now it's just so segmented and you never know if you're getting a home tie, if you're away, you make the finals, it's a neutral site. I don't know, Davis Cup should have home ties, and that's it. I fully believe that they should have home ties. Do it every two years, every three years, I don't care. But like we got to find a way to get back to the old format," Johnson added.
Isner agreed with his co-hosts' views. He further added that despite the tournament being held in Italy, the country's top two players, Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti aren't competing this time. Their absence only cements the view that the current format doesn't work.
"It's in Italy. I mean, it's in Bologna, and Sinner and Musetti are not playing. I mean that just kind of goes to show you right there that the format is pretty broken. That their top two players are not playing this week in Italy," Isner said.
Keeping aside the criticism of the format, two-time defending champions Italy have booked their spot in the final of the Davis Cup for the third year in a row. Despite the absence of Sinner and Musetti, the Italian squad are on the verge of completing a hat-trick.
Italy to lock horns with Spain in the title round of the Davis Cup Finals 2025
Two-time defending champions Italy will take on Spain in the summit clash of the Davis Cup Finals 2025 on Sunday, November 23. Italy beat Austria in the quarterfinals and followed it up with a win over Belgium in the semifinals. They got the job done by winning both of their singles ties on each occasion.
Spain beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in the quarterfinals, and upset Germany 2-1 in the semifinals. They are through to the final for the first time since lifting the winner's trophy in 2019.
Both teams are without their star players this time. While Jannik Sinner declined to compete this year, Carlos Alcaraz withdrew following an injury he sustained at the ATP Finals. However, both teams have proved their mettle even with their top players on the sidelines.
