The Davis Cup Super Sub

The beauty about tennis, is that it is very much an individual game. When we watch the best players in the world do battle, we get the opportunity to witness some incredible craft and intelligence that you might associate with a chess match, while the idea of a  gladiatorial clash between two people in front of millions also appeals to many tennis fans.

Even though it's the individuality of the sport which adds to its charm and makes it what it is, there is no doubt that tennis at the top level is a very lonely day when you are losing, as the American commentator Leif Shiras recently said, "We can all have a bad day at the office, but when it happens to a professional tennis player, they are on their own in front of millions of people with nothing or nobody to hide behind".

With this is mind, many top players do relish the chance to enjoy the company of their compatriots when they join forces for the Davis Cup.

Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick said that, winning the Davis Cup was one of his four main goals, at the start of his career, the others being to win the US Open, Wimbledon, and to reach World No. 1 in the rankings.

The Davis Cup only takes place a handful of times every year, there have been calls from many experts for in change in format of the competition, the main idea that I have suggested is for the Davis Cup to take on the format of the Soccer World Cup, so that the event is played every few years and in one central venue.

I am not in favour of this idea, primarily for logistical reasons, but also because of the fact that, by doing away with home and away venues in the Davis Cup, the tournament would certainly lose some of its unique charm.

The notion of having a team event in what is essentially an individual sport is what makes the Davis Cup such a unique and exciting competition.

Having considered these factors, the only change I would like to see brought in to the Davis Cup is one that I believe would create even more of a team ethos to the tournament, as it stands now, sure one has their team mates rooting for them on the sidelines.

The reality is if you blow a two sets to love lead in the final rubber of the Davis Cup final like Paul Herni Matthieu did for France in 2002,  hat is surely the most lonely feeling in sport.

Indeed after Roddick lost to Dmitry Tursanov of Russia 17-15 in the final rubber of the Semis against Russia in 2006 he said he felt worst than losing a match on the main tour because he felt he had let down not just himself, but his team mates and indeed his whole nation.

In view of this, I personally would like to see the team aspect of Davis Cup taken to another level, by allowing tactical substitutions.

Imagine a a fifth and deciding match between Spain and Switzerland locked at two sets all that had been contested between Stanlias Wawrinka and Fernando Verdasco for the four sets, suddenly for the fifth sets the Spanish, captain could call upon World number 1 Rafael Nadal for the fifth set while the Swiss captain would be able to call on the services of the 13-time Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer to face the world No. 1 in that deciding set.

I appreciate that their are some intricacies that need to be figured out in order to make this a viable proposal, but surely having substitutes in Davis Cup would be a great innovation, in making this unique team event, even more unique.

Would be great to hear your thoughts on this proposal!