Djokovic: “Players are never consulted, Davis Cup needs to be revised”

Novak Djokovic (No. 1) is with the Serbian team before the Davis Cup against Spain in Valencia and expressed at the press conference the need to make changes in the tournament, but also the players’ direct involvement and involvement in it.

“The format needs to be revised but as I’m not with the ITF I can’t tell you what’s going on. I hope they consult the players about a change because we are never consulted.”

I think we players should be more involved in such changes, we should all sit together and discuss the future. If the ITF doesn’t take the right steps, I don’t know what will happen to this tournament. The fact that Kosmos broke its contract with the ITF shows that this tournament urgently needs to find a more suitable format.

The final decision will be made by the ITF when the tournament was changed five years ago. The ITF joined the Kosmos group because it saw an opportunity for growth, but no one blames the ITF for anything.

The format brings out different opinions, some for it, some against it, but five years ago everyone agreed that a change was needed. Now it’s time to find a balance in the format. In 2019, everyone played in Madrid, so 99% of countries couldn’t play at home.

Serbia, for example, hasn’t played at home for 4-5 years. It’s a long time for us, we can’t leave the Serbs behind for so long without being able to see their players, especially the younger ones.” he explained and added:

“I’m happy to be back in Spain after so many years and to play in Valencia. It is an honor to represent my country, I am proud and it is the greatest privilege I can have. Last year I wasn’t here and could do it. “I won’t help the team qualify for Malaga, so I hope it will be different this time.

Of course I’m not completely fresh, it’s been a difficult few months with a lot of games, but I’ll try to face this challenge positively, I’ll do my best to adapt my body to the new conditions and give my team points.”

For the 2024 Paris Olympics: “My goal is to compete in the next Olympics, so I hope to get there physically and mentally prepared. “I know that 2024 will be a very challenging season, with Roland Garros on clay, Wimbledon on grass, the US Open and the Olympics on hard courts.” It will be a challenge for everyone. The Olympics are the most important event in the history of sport and what you feel there is something very special, it cannot be compared to other tournaments.”

About Carlos Alcarath: “His results are already there. He has only been on the tour for 2 years and has already won 2 Grand Slams and become the youngest No. 1 in history. Everything he has achieved is incredible for a 19 year old. He is a special boy, he will have a great career if he stays healthy. He is one of the players who impressed me the most.”

Whether he misses Federer and Nadal: “On a personal level I don’t know how much I miss them, but on a sporting level I’m sure they will be missed a lot in tennis. We are talking about two tennis legends, two athletes who left a great legacy for sport in general. I don’t know how much I miss her, to be honest, at least on the pitch.”