Barcelona's Piqué Behind Group Interested In Backing New Int'l Men's Tennis Team Event

Barcelona's Gerard Piqué "has emerged as the unlikely mover behind one of the biggest potential innovations on the tennis calendar in recent decades," according to Mike Dickson of the London DAILY MAIL. Piqué and his associates are "among several groups interested" in backing a new int'l men's team event to "rival the Davis Cup." The ATP Tour is "considering introducing the new competition of possibly" 16 countries to create a week-long World Cup style event to capitalize on the "extra interest created by team competitions." Piqué spent "several days" at the Madrid Open this week, and has "been in discussions about the plan with senior tour officials," although "his is not the only party seeking to be involved." He "is known for his entrepreneurial interests, as well as being a huge follower of tennis." These proposals come at a time when the Davis Cup, run by the Int'l Tennis Federation, "has never been more vulnerable to a rival enterprise" (DAILY MAIL, 5/10).