Changes Are Proposed to Spark Interest in Davis Cup Matches

MILAN, Italy —  The International Tennis Federation is studying ways to create more interest in the Davis Cup among players and fans, the organization’s head said Sunday.

Proposals include cutting matches in early rounds from best-of-five sets to best-of-three, giving the returning finalist nations first-round byes, and trying to convince the ATP to award rankings points for Davis Cup matches.

“Does that get [Pete] Sampras or whoever to play? Believe me, we are looking at the options,” said ITF President Brian Tobin, in Milan for the Davis Cup final, in which Sweden defeated Italy, 4-1.

It was the first final in the 99-year history of the event without any singles players from the ATP’s top 30. Neither No. 1 Sampras or No. 6 Andre Agassi played in the semifinals, when Italy ousted the United States.

Citing personal goals, primarily his pursuit of Roy Emerson’s record 12 Grand Slam tournament titles, Sampras has played Davis Cup just once since leading the United States to the 1995 title.