Alexander Zverev doesn’t like the new Davis Cup format that has been in place for two years. He will be boycotting the tournament this year. Zverev has not played Davis Cup since the format was changed two years ago.

The format has to be changed and I’m sticking to that. I am someone who keeps his word. I want to win the Davis Cup, but I want to win the real Davis Cup.

– Alexander Zverev

The International Tennis Federation changed Davis Cup to an 18-team event that is held over one week and a half. The format change has been criticized by many players as it’s held in a neutral venue, where most teams will not have home fans.

This year’s Davis Cup will be held in three cities  – Innsbruck, Austria, Turin. Italy and Madrid, Spain over 11 days from November 25 to December 5. Top players including Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Matteo Berrettini, and Jannik Sinner are expected to participate in this year’s edition.

Felix Auger Aliassime is currently coached by his longtime coach Frederic Fontang and Toni Nadal. Fontang is Aliassime’s full-time coach and Toni Nadal is his part time coach who works with him prior to big tournaments and grand slams.

Auger Aliassime brought Toni Nadal to the team because he wanted to work with someone who has  experience working at the highest level of the sport. He coached his nephew Rafael Nadal for most of his career. As part of the coaching arrangement, Toni Nadal will not be attending the match if Rafael Nadal and Auger Aliassime play each other.

I wouldn’t be able to work with someone who wasn’t respectful, who had no values, because I’ve been lucky enough to work for my entire life with a boy who has always been respectful and has earned himself a good name. I aspire to that. I was delighted the moment they put the idea to me. Let’s not beat about the bush, this is a kid who theoretically should be among the best in the world in years to come. It’s always nice to work with someone like that.

– Toni Nadal

Before working with Fontang full time, Auger Aliassime worked with Guillaume Marx and Fontang. Marx molded Auger Aliassime’s game since he was 14.

The tennis world knew Felix Auger Aliassime would be a star on the men’s tour while he was very young. At age 16, he won his first Challenger title. He made his Top 100 ranking debut at 18 and has continued to climb up the rankings. He reached the semifinals at the 2021 US Open.