Tennis legend Todd Woodbridge has slammed a decision to give Canada a wildcard into this year’s Davis Cup finals.
The International Tennis Federation has handed Canada a spot in the finals, a consequence of a spot being freed up when Russia was booted out over its invasion of Ukraine.
That’s despite Canada suffering a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of the Netherlands during a qualifying round earlier this month.
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But as the highest ranked losing nation, Canada has now been given a reprieve.
“What an utter disgrace,” Woodbridge wrote on Twitter.
“Canada has lost this year, but given a second chance wildcard.
“This is a new low for our sport.
“Just can’t fathom how far this great competition has sunk.”
https://twitter.com/toddwoodbridge/status/1504435555492597764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/gasparlanca/status/1504421738066624521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The Australian, who was part of winning Davis Cup teams in 1999 and 2003, suggested that a nation that had won its opening tie in the second tier World Group I should have been elevated ahead of Canada.
Once considered one of the most prestigious tournaments, the Davis Cup has taken a hit in recent years since switching formats in 2019.
Instead of the traditional ties being played throughout the year on a home-and-away basis, the finals now include a round robin format, with each contest played over three ties in a single day in a central location, rather than five ties over three days.
Australia is one of 16 nations that will take part in the finals, with the round robin to be held in September, ahead of the knockout stage in November.
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