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Outdated Sampras, Agassi say Davis Cup needs changes
LISBON (Reuters) -- Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi have said the Davis Cup is outdated, must be revamped and should only be played once every two years. The American heavyweights repeated their plea to the International Tennis Federation to change the format of the men's team competition Monday, on the eve of the ATP Masters Cup. Agassi said he was disappointed U.S. captain John McEnroe had stood down but added that there were far more things the competition should worry about. "It's disappointing ... it's a step back for the Davis Cup but I think they have much bigger problems than John not being captain," he said. "The sport has changed dramatically since Davis Cup was set up. Adjustments need to be made on behalf of the players, on behalf of the fans ... on behalf of anyone who claims to care about the competition. "At the moment you are playing every year ... that's something a lot of people can't understand. "It needs to change. For everybody's sake." Agassi wants the tournament to be played biennially and to be a two-week event hosted by the defending champions. "Let all the countries come together in the home country's place. Put it together in a two-week package. It makes sense from players' schedules, for TV, revenues, everything. "Can you imagine the top eight countries in the world coming together in Spain, or in France or in Australia -- in America even? "You would sell out any arena in the world. The revenues you could generate on top of the interest and the focus would be phenomenal." Sampras echoes his compatriot's thoughts. "Look at the schedule, it's hard for [American] fans to follow," he said. "I mean it is playing in different countries at different times a year. I've always believed in simplifying it -- something like the Ryder Cup where everyone can focus their attention on it. "Tennis is competing with so many other sports. Davis Cup is a great event ... if only it could be put together properly." Australia plays Spain in Barcelona next week in the Davis Cup final.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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