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The rift between Gerard Pique and the International Tennis Federation, the ITF, remains unresolved. Shots have been fired from several ends as Pique looks to claim $5o million in damages from the federation. The ITF ended a 25-year deal worth over $3 billion with Pique’s company Kosmos Holdings. This was just after 5 years into their contract. Now, tennis world no.1 Novak Djokovic has had his say on the matter.
Earlier this week, Swiss tennis star Stanislas Wawrinka, who is also Roger Federer‘s close friend, and Pique were involved in a debate on X regarding the entire Davis Cup fiasco. This came after Team Switzerland played Team France in a nearly empty stadium in their recent match in the tournament. Wawrinka took a subtle dig at Pique, publicly asking for more information as to why the 25-year deal was canceled after just 5 years which ignited a back-and-forth between the two.
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Novak Djokovic defends Gerard Pique for failed Davis Cup deal after Wawrinka’s criticism
Following Wawrinka’s comment, none other than tennis World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has made a statement of his own regarding the matter. Ahead of his match against Spain, Djokovic came to Pique’s defense and stated that the Davis Cup debacle wasn’t his fault.
Speaking to the media, Djokovic said, “I don’t support the criticism of Pique because it is not his fault,” “The ITF is the one that allowed the change of format and the one that makes the final decision. He came with his company and bet on tennis.”
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2023 US Open Player Media Day Novak Djokovic of Serbia speaks to press during US Open player media day ahead of start of tournament at Billy Jean King Tennis Center in New York on August 25, 2023. New York Billy Jean King Tennis Center New York USA NOxUSExINxGERMANY PUBLICATIONxINxALGxARGxAUTxBRNxBRAxCANxCHIxCHNxCOLxECUxEGYxGRExINDxIRIxIRQxISRxJORxKUWxLIBxLBAxMLTxMEXxMARxOMAxPERxQATxKSAxSUIxSYRxTUNxTURxUAExUKxVENxYEMxONLY Copyright: xLevxRadinx Editorial use only
Further stating that the ITF is to blame, Djokovic added, “If anyone should be criticized, it is the ITF. The format had to be changed, what happened is that we have gone from one extreme to the other. We haven’t played in Serbia as locals for a long time. I don’t know what will happen if the ITF loses in court with Kosmos. Let’s see what happens with the competition. There is a lot of uncertainty because there are also elections for the presidency of the International Federation.”
While suggesting the Davis Cup’s continuity matters, Djokovic further said, “All I am saying is that Davis Cup has to survive. I hope that the players will be consulted if there are changes because afterward there are tennis players frustrated about it and they will talk in the media.”
These comments by Djokovic certainly hold their weight. He is, after all, the ATP World No.1, and has shared his perspective and shed light on the whole matter. Meanwhile, about his failed deal, Pique also had some words to say.
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Pique suggests Kosmos did their best for the Davis Cup
However, Pique remained firm that his company Kosmos did a good job and that the COVID-19 pandemic which caused the losses was unforeseen. Pique reiterated that his company quadrupled its income in just a year and increased the number of sponsors for the Davis Cup from 3 to 15.
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Barcelona, 11.09.2014 – WM 2014 – USA vs Litauen – Gerard Pique (FC Barcelona) mit seinem Vater Joan als Zuschauer auf der Tribüne. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY
Barcelona 11 09 2014 World Cup 2014 USA vs Lithuania Gerard Pique FC Barcelona with his Father Joan as Spectators on the Grandstand PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY
Pique, in conversation with Marca, stated, “We believe that what we did with the Davis Cup is a resounding success story. We arrived at a competition that was in decline. And on a sporting, economic, above all, and audience level, we turned the tournament around. That is evident and verifiable with numbers,” Pique added.
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Nevertheless, it remains to be seen as to where the court battle between Kosmos and the ITF leads. Furthermore, the future of the Davis Cup, which is such a historic tournament, also remains up in the air as things stand.
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