Ram, about the format of the Davis Cup: "It moves away from what it really is"

The former world number one in doubles mercilessly criticizes the competition format, and also reveals that Mardy Fish has blocked him on social media.

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 18 Sep 2024 | 10.05
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Rajeev Ram harshly criticizes the format of the 2024 Davis Cup. Photo: Getty
Rajeev Ram harshly criticizes the format of the 2024 Davis Cup. Photo: Getty

His adventure with the United States team in the Davis Cup has not been the easiest. Sometimes, even being the world number one in doubles has not guaranteed him a spot in the team to compete for his country. Nevertheless, at 40 years old, Rajeev Ram continues to answer his captain's call whenever it comes, a role that has now passed to Bob Bryan. Always candid, the American does not hesitate to criticize certain current aspects of the competition.

His trip to China to play the Davis Cup

"Honestly, it's crazy, that's the best way to put it. The fact that we're going to China and not even playing against China is ridiculous. I think this new format has its good and bad sides, and arguments can be made on both accounts. This is going further, going to a place where we're not even playing against a team from there. It gives me the feeling that it really moves away from what the Davis Cup is about, which is playing in front of or against the home crowd. I understand that with this new format, when we had the groups in one place, that only happened once. But, four teams that are not from China playing in China? It makes no sense," Rajeev explains in an interview with Tennis & Beyond.

On not being selected by Mardy Fish, former captain of the United States

"The biggest issue I had with that situation was not being selected, because ultimately, that's not my decision. It's the captain's decision, and if he believes I'm not the best option, regardless of my ranking or my results, that's his call. The biggest problem I had, and the reason why I think we didn't do very well, is because we didn't bring a full team. It's something that, honestly, I still haven't gotten over, because I gave my all to try to help us reach the qualification stage for the final.

I went to Scotland the day after winning the US Open and participated in a crucial win against Great Britain that got us through, then we went to the final phase of the Davis Cup, and you can bring five guys on the team, our captain chose to bring four. For me, that's not giving it your all, and I think that's a big problem. Do I think they should have selected me? Yes, I do. That year, we had three players competing in the ATP Finals. We had Taylor Fritz, Austin Krajicek, and me, and we left two on the bench. I don't think any other country would have done that."

His relationship with Mardy Fish

"He has me blocked on social media. We haven't spoken since that day. I had a conversation with the USTA, it wasn't so much an apology, it was more an explanation, saying that the captain basically has full autonomy. I told them exactly what I'm telling you, that I don't understand the full autonomy to not select a full team. We didn't agree on that. The USTA didn't say, 'Yes, you're right. I'm sorry. We shouldn't have done that, or we won't do it again.' I didn't hear any of that, but it hasn't happened again. So, I'm very content."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Ram, sobre el formato de la Copa Davis: "Se aleja de lo que realmente es"