Neutral venue for Davis Cup finals unappealing to Murray

Friday, 23 September 2016 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

REUTERS: Wimbledon champion Andy Murray is not overly enthusiastic about the possibility of a neutral venue hosting the Davis Cup finals, but backed proposals to shorten matches in the competition.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) is considering plans to select fixed-venue cities in advance for the Davis and Fed Cup finals, switching from the current format where one of the finalists host the decider.

Croatia will host Argentina for the 2016 Davis Cup title after winning their semi-finals last weekend, but a host city has yet to be named. “I am not sold on that (neutral venue),” Murray told British media. “I do love the home and away atmosphere that we get in the Davis Cup.

“It is something that we as tennis players aren’t really used to because we are playing in neutral venues a lot of the time and the home and away aspect is something that I enjoy and makes it special.”

The world number two however supported the idea to host the finals over two days instead of three.

“The last three days, coming off the back of the Olympics, Cincinnati, the US Open, and then being on court for 10 or 11 hours, was really hard,” the Olympic champion added.

“Maybe playing it over Saturday and Sunday, best of three sets, I like that idea. If it doesn’t work you can always change back.”