The Davis Cup has faced significant backlash from prominent ATP players following last year's overhaul of its format. Traditionally characterized by home-and-away matches, the tournament has shifted to include two-day qualifying rounds at various locations, culminating in a centralized knockout event in Bologna, Italy, later this November. Additionally, the format change moved from the familiar best-of-five matches to a shorter best-of-three format.
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Alexander Zverev has emerged as a leading critic of the changes. After helping Germany secure a spot in the Final Eight with a victory over Croatia in Halle, he expressed concerns about the November tournament’s atmosphere, stating that it lacks the energy of home matches. "I hope that the Davis Cup decision-makers will eventually wake up and see what the real Davis Cup is. Because this weekend was the real Cup," Zverev remarked. "What we're playing in Bologna is absolute rubbish. I hope we return to the old format."
Yannick Noah, a three-time Davis Cup champion, has also voiced his disapproval. Speaking at the Laver Cup, he stated, “This is not the real Davis Cup. I find it hard to talk about the Davis Cup these days, after having experienced the real Davis Cup. I don’t recognize the spirit of the competition … As a spectator today, I find it hard to get interested in this competition.” He noted that while some players deemed the original schedule too demanding, the current format fails to capture the essence of the tournament.
Former player and coach Brad Gilbert added his perspective on The Big T podcast, arguing against the new structure. He proposed that the Davis Cup should occur every other year, emphasizing the importance of home-and-away ties rather than a year-end final in Bologna. Gilbert suggested that a return to the best-of-five matches would restore the tournament’s authenticity.
The scheduling of the Laver Cup and Davis Cup has presented challenges for top players. This year, Carlos Alcaraz opted to participate only in the Laver Cup, while Ben Shelton chose the Davis Cup. Zverev, along with Jakub Mensik and Learner Tien, managed to participate in both despite a crowded ATP schedule. Former players John Isner, Sam Querrey, and Steve Johnson discussed on their podcast, Nothing Major, how the current Davis Cup schedule disincentivizes participation from top-ranked players, citing instances where Alcaraz and rival Jannik Sinner opted out to recover from injuries. Although plans for 2026 are already in place, calls for changes to the tournament structure persist.