Rafael Nadal sank to the ground after his converted match ball, his teammates hurried to celebrate the first in the world rankings. Once again it was Nadal who had led his team to success in the Davis Cup. For the sixth time the Spaniards won the most important team competition in the world.
The final victory against Canada had been preceded by many games in which Nadal also had to prove his qualities in the doubles. For the 33-year-old, who had also regained first place in the world rankings after the victories at the French and US Open this year, it was the perfect season finale.
In the process, the Davis Cup, which had been turned over by football pro Gerard Piqué and his investment firm Kosmos, had been very controversial. Even before the start of the concerns were great, the former tennis pro Carl-Uwe Steeb said, "the Davis Cup actually ripped out the heart". Boris Becker criticized the one-week event, although he promised a little later that he wanted to give the new format a "chance".
GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP
Davis Cup winner Spain after the triumph: perfect season finish - at least for Nadal
Criticism of the venue
For the first time, the Davis Cup winner was played within a week. In addition, in a "neutral" place, said the organizers. Neutral would have been the place but only if Spain had not participated. The fact that Spain won the event in Madrid and that the event will take place next year in the Spanish capital should not contribute to the end of the discussions. Former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski now called for the Team Cup to be held at a different venue each year.
I have to say the new @DavisCup exceeded expectations in year 1. I still miss home & away ties. The event should be in a different country every year as Spain has a home venue every year. Scheduling, and date in calendar must be better. What do you think?
- Greg Rusedski (@ GregRusedski1) November 24, 2019It started in six groups, each with three countries. The group winners qualified for the quarter-finals, as well as the two best runner-ups. Also in this mode there was criticism. Fans complained on Twitter that some group winners had to compete against other group winners and others against a supposedly weaker runner-up.
The appointment also should cause trouble, particularly great was the excitement over the game between the US and Italy. The double between the two nations ended at four o'clock in the morning. "I do not remember where we are, what time we have, which day is," said American Davis Cup captain Mardy Fish following his side's 2-1 win.
And how did the event reach the audience? The enthusiasm was usually limited. Although tennis fans from Argentina and Italy made for mood, some games took place before half-empty ranks. The vociferous support of the audience also missed Philipp Kohlschreiber. He said that the "special atmosphere" was missing.
Shakira gets a stage
Piqué himself also used the event to promote the tour of wife Shakira. "Shakira in Concert - El Dorado World Tour" was written in large letters on the advertising boards; On the last day of the match, the Colombian singer performed in the sold-out arena in Madrid. But this appearance should not cause any enthusiasm among the tennis fans.
In the end, it was only good that Piqué and his investment company could hardly influence: the athletic performance. From this perspective, the Davis Cup in Madrid was a success. Superstars like Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who failed to reach Russia in the quarter-finals with Serbia, offered the spectators another spectacular rally after a long season. Even Andy Murray was there, but still far removed from the old ability after his hip surgery.
In the field of participants, only the refusals of Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev clouded the mood of the organizers. The two preferred the Davis Cup a multi-day tour of Latin America. They set a new record: In Mexico City, the duo dueled in front of 42,517 fans in the largest bullfighting arena in the world.
Piqué would have liked such pictures for his event as well. The FC Barcelona footballer said in the end: "We knew there would be difficulties, we need to improve some things." Overall, however, his conclusion to the premiere was positive.