Barcelona star Gerard Pique plans to revolutionise tennis by replacing Davis Cup with football World Cup-style play-offs
GERARD PIQUE is aiming to revolutionise tennis with a World Cup-style tournament to replace the Davis Cup, according to reports in Spain.
The Barcelona defender is huge fan of the sport and has been spotted at several major events, such as the ATP World Tour Finals in London and the Madrid Open.
Gerard Pique watches on during a day off at the Madrid OpenGetty Images
And it looks as though his appearances are not just for pleasure, but for also for business.
ABC report Pique has aims to galvanise the sport — starting with the Davis Cup.
Gerard Pique is a big tennis fan and enjoys going to various tournamentsGetty Images
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Andy Murray and rest of GB Team pose with Davis Cup trophy won in 2015PA:Press Association
He believes the tournament which Great Britain won in 2015 is no longer a priority for many of the game’s biggest stars due to the set-up which requires a lot of moving around throughout the year.
And wants to stage it in one place at a designated point in the season, making it more economical for fans, and less energy-sapping for players — much a football World Cup.
The ATP World Team Cup was held in Dusseldorf took place from 1978 to 2012 shortly after Wimbledon had concluded.
Gerard Pique has big plans which could revolutionise the future of tennisReuters
But it was always very much the secondary team tournament in tennis after the Davis Cup.
Yet, Pique wants resurrect something similar.
He sees a ten-day tournament involving the 16 most powerful nations competing in a play-off system.
Gerard Pique is sat close to Jose Mourinho during ATP World Tour Finals in LondonGetty ImagesGerard Pique has big plans for life after he retires from playing footballGetty Images
The 30-year-old has already met ATP president, Chris Kermode, and expressed his ideas to some of the players, with whom he enjoys a strong relationship.
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