Proposed Tennis World Cup - - Getting Great Support From ATP Players

The ATP Players Council headed by Roger Federer has proposed a revolutionary plan for a World Cup of tennis which will be discussed among the players at this month's Australian Open, according to world number three Novak Djokovic.

The Davis Cup could be replaced by a Tennis World Cup if a proposal by the sport's top players is given the green signal.

The idea to scrap the 110-year-old competition has come from the ATP Player Council who are looking to make the season less rigorous.

The World Cup would be a biennial event over 10 days, involving the top 32 countries.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, who is on the ATP Player Council along with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal,said:"We proposed it but it's all fresh and it's all ideas.

"The main point is that we are trying to make the sport improve and get better."

Djokovic said talks between players at this month's Australian Open would be "crucial". The International Tennis Federation, the London-based organisation that runs the Davis Cup, refused to comment.

Andy Murray said:"I'm a great fan of the Davis Cup but if a decision was taken to drop it, or something else could change on the calendar, then a World Cup is a fascinating idea."

Croat Ivan Ljubicic insists he no longer wants to play in the Davis Cup. He said: "The top guys are not able to play all the matches that they would love to play for their nation.

"The format is not suited for the players at the moment. I'm not going to play Davis Cup any more."