The Roger Federer-backed Laver Cup recently came under fire from prominent French tennis journalist Benoit Maylin. The journalist also questioned Italy’s historic 2025 Davis Cup title triumph, particularly in terms of the feat being compared to what Team USA achieved way back in 1970, when the format of the men’s international team tennis event was a far cry from what it is today. Speaking on the show Sans Filet, Maylin opined that the Davis Cup, with its current format, is a tournament that should bear a different name. However, he was delighted at the way players competed at this year’s edition of the event, proudly fighting for their respective countries. Thanks for the submission! Subsequently, Maylin took a swipe at the Laver Cup, the annual men’s team tennis tournament that was co-founded by former World No. 1 and 20-time Major champion Roger Federer. The high-profile event pits Team Europe against Team World and has produced some memorable moments over the years, including the Swiss’ emotional retirement. However, according to its critics, money is the sole motivation for players when it comes to participating in it. “We shouldn’t call it the Davis Cup. The competition itself doesn’t bother me. The players are at the back, and it’s great to finally see a team competition where you represent your country and not Federer’s wallet. It’s still nice to see that,” Maylin said. The journalist also ridiculed the way Italy’s 2025 Davis Cup feat is being compared to that of the USA in 1970. Italy won the Davis Cup for the third year in a row this year, becoming the first nation to do so since the USA in 1970. It’s worth noting that the USA also went on to win the 1971 and 1972 editions of the Davis Cup. “But it shouldn’t be called the Davis Cup. When I see people saying that Italy won the Davis Cup three times in a row and that we haven’t seen that since.(five times in a row for the United States between 1968 and 1972), I want to burn the thing. It’s impossible to compare today’s Davis Cup with the one from the past. It’s a complete scandal,” Maylin added. “I feel sad” When Roger Federer expressed his apprehension about new, controversial Davis Cup format For many Davis Cup purists, the previous format of the tournament, featuring home and away ties, used to generate much more excitement for both tennis players and fans. However, in 2018, investment group Kosmos controversially announced a multi-billion dollar plan to revamp the Davis Cup’s format, completely doing away with the home and away ties. In the aftermath of the announcement, which sent shockwaves through the world of tennis, Roger Federer expressed how the new generation of players would never experience the Davis Cup in all its past glory. “I feel sad about it, you know, not to have the Davis Cup as it used to be. It will never be the same for the next generation,” Federer said. Several prominent names such as Lleyton Hewitt and Alexander Zverev have also echoed Federer’s sentiments and gone on to criticize the Davis Cup.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-you-represent-roger-federer-s-wallet-tennis-journalist-aims-shots-laver-cup-also-questions-legitimacy-italy-s-historic-davis-cup-win
“You do not represent Roger Federer’s wallet” – Tennis journalist aims shots at Laver Cup, also questions legitimacy of Italy’s historic Davis Cup win
