Novak Djokovic loves round-robin format

Novak Djokovic is after the year end No. 1 rank. The Serbian is looking to finish the year as No.1 for the fourth successive year.

Djokovic has been a fan of this format. He praised the season-ending tournament format and wished it would be adapted in Davis Cup and Olympics. 

Djokovic is through to the semifinals after beating David Goffin (6-1,6-2) in straight sets in his 2nd match of Round 1 and keeps up pressure on Andy Murray for the year end No. 1 finish.

Novak Djokovic in his post match interview said that he is determined to regain top spot. He also praised the round-robin format.

"I think the format is exciting. I mean, look, it's the only tournament in the year that we have this kind of format. I like playing in the round-robin system," he said.

Djokovic who lost to eventual silver medalist Del Potro in the first round at the Rio Olympics, thinks that this format could be used at Olympics.

"I guess you play more matches," the Beijing bronze medalist said. "The people like to see the top players being at least for a couple of matches, two, three matches in the tournament. I think it gives more value to the event."

Novak was also skeptical about Davis Cup format, feeling it should be condensed instead of being an year long tournament.

"Once a year...two weeks, have a round-robin format," Djokovic said. "Have teams play in different locations, then come together in one location and play a knockout stage, quarterfinals, semifinals, final four, whatever," 

"It's a no-brainer. I'm not the only one to have this kind of opinion about it. Many of the players have been talking about this format and the schedule, top players especially."

Djokovic also pointed out that the three day, best-of-five set system could be reduced to two day, best-of-three matches. But he said that International Tennis Federation hasn't been so keen to it.

"The only thing they wanted to change is the neutral final, I think for the next year or the year after that... nobody agrees with that," Novak said.
"Again , you're taking away from the players the one thing that players love about Davis Cup, which is the home tie, the home crowd."

He added, "I don't know how the future of Davis Cup will look like. But there is definitely soething radically that has to change."

Source : ESPN

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