Alexander Zverev proposes major change to 'absolute rubbish' Davis Cup rule
Alexander Zverev isn't happy with one current Davis Cup rule, despite helping Germany reach the next stage of the competition with a 3-1 victory over Croatia in Halle over the weekend.
Fresh from winning his second major of 2026 with an epic final victory over Ben Shelton at the US Open, Zverev continued his exceptional form, winning both of his matches without dropping a set to send Germany through to the Final Eight.
The world No. 2 will return to Davis Cup action in Bologna at the end of November when he hopes to lead his country to glory for only the fourth time in the competition's history. Naturally, the two-time Grand Slam winner should feel excited about their chances in a mouth-watering quarter-final against Great Britain, but unfortunately, there is one rule he cannot get behind.
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Alexander Zverev explains why he prefers the old home-and-away Davis Cup format
After showing incredible commitment to play for his country following a physically taxing US Open triumph, Zverev defeated Matej Dodig in his first match before beating Dino Prizmic 6-4, 6-2 in the tie that secured Germany's place in the last eight.
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The 29-year-old enjoyed playing in front of a raucous home crowd in Halle, but the atmosphere only gave the Wimbledon finalist another reason to criticise one of the competition's rules.
"I hope that the Davis Cup decision-makers will eventually wake up and see what the real Davis Cup is. Because this weekend was the real Cup," Zverev told reporters.
"What we're playing in Bologna is absolute rubbish. I hope we return to the old format."
Currently, only the two qualifying rounds are played as home-or-away ties, with the final eight teams travelling to one city in November.
Prior to 2019, the top tier of the Davis Cup – the World Group - worked on a home-and-away basis right up to and including the final.
The format was then refined in 2025, abolishing the Group Stage and bringing back the home-and-away ties for the rounds leading up to the quarter-finals.
On this occasion, Italy qualified as the hosts after winning the title, meaning Bologna is the host city for the final. Zverev isn't happy with the rule, as he feels playing in front of his home country is what gives the competition its real identity, citing the atmosphere in Halle as how the event should look.
"What we will play in Bologna in a few months has nothing to do with the Davis Cup. That atmosphere here was the real Davis Cup," the German continued.
Alexander Zverev hasn't confirmed Davis Cup final appearance
Zverev has stressed that home-and-away ties should be included in the final eight stage for years, so this is nothing new, but world No. 2 has to cope with this rule.
Germany haven't won the Davis Cup since 1993, when Michael Stich helped inspire a 4-1 victory over Australia.
If anyone can end their hoodoo, it is Zverev, although he hasn't confirmed whether he will attend the final in Bologna, stressing that there is still time before the event and he has many tournaments to play before then.
"There are still two months to go until Bologna. I've still got many tournaments ahead of me," he said.
Zverev is bidding to win his first China Open when that gets underway next week in the first tournament of the Asian swing.
Thomas Griffin