John McEnroe thinks it's a "complete joke" that Davis Cup organisers have failed to make any changes to prevent the withdrawal of high-profile players.

Players simply look at it like they an get away with it now.

They're not going to be criticised that much for doing it.

They go play events where they get obscene amounts of money and claim that the Davis Cup doesn't fit into their schedule.

Maybe Murray has taken some heat for a week or so, but it'll go away. It's sad that it's come to this.

The fact the people who run the Davis Cup haven't made a change already is a complete joke, it's unbelievable.

You look at the top players and you're lucky if half of them play now.

Why is it Andy that's having to take all the flack over this, he's missed one match for God's sake, why do you never see loads of bad press when others who have done it numerous times keep on doing it?  I never want to see the words Davis Cup ever again.  

Mark, i don't think a boycott will help. The problem is not the davis cup organisers (the ITF), they would love to force players to play. The onus is on the ATP, who are the only ones with the power to do anything, but they're not interested in doing anything. I can't think of anything anyone could do to force them to change it. As far as they're concerned they couldn't care less if the Davis cup fails.

I couldn't care less either and I agree the ATP is partly responsible but the Davis Cup organisers need to make changes.

Scheduling?

Are they even trying to make the ATP help?

I'd love it if it was scheduled like the world cup in football - every 4 years, or perhaps in this case, every 2 years.  

My idea would be to have 32 nations gathering once every 2/4 years and competing in a knockout tournament that would last from around a fortnight to a month, but I think the rubbers would have to be best of three, instead of best of five.

As for the qualification aspect of it, that might have to be done throughout the year - but players might have more interest in participating if the format is more exciting and there's less matches to be played.

Qualifying could be played like the lower zones are already decided over the course of the year leading up to it. Countries could choose what team to put up based on who their opponents are gonna be. For example, Andy and Jamie needn't necessarily play against Bulgaria, for example (best player ranked 460th).

Teams would be seeded based on the combined ranking of their top four the week before the qualifying draw is made. (taking into account doubles rankings).

You could then do it exactly like the World cup with group stages 3's with the QF's onward best of 5. You could do it exactly like World cup. A host country would compete for DC to be played with them, probably every two years but on odd's not evens so as not to clash with Olympics.

At group stage, with 3 setters, you could play 2 singles (no 1 vs no 1 and no 2 vs no 2) and a doubles so the tie is completed in 1 day. Maybe even employ doubles rules at this stage with no ad and CTB 3rd set. Make it exciting for the fans. 8 groups of 4 teams could have groups completed in 6 days. Only problem would be finding host countries that boast 8 tennis courts to play all the ties.

It would be hellish to organise but it could provide the necessary excitement DC needs to get the top players back on board.

For qualifying, sure.

But for the main event it'll be played over about 3 weeks so it shouldn't matter. It'll probably be played on indoor carpet anyway. Make it at the end of the tour. Or after USO and before the indoor carpet European run gets under way.