Substitutions allowed on match day — ITF

LONDON, JULY 12: Davis Cup captains will be allowed to make strategic substitutions on the third day of a tie, whether or not the result ...

LONDON, JULY 12: Davis Cup captains will be allowed to make strategic substitutions on the third day of a tie, whether or not the result hangs in the balance.

The new regulations, adopted by the International Tennis Federation, will come into effect next year.

“This amendment should increase interest in the third day of Davis Cup because it gives the captain the flexibility to make strategic changes to his lineup,” an ITF statement said today.

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Traditionally, captains have been allowed to make changes to their lineups for the reverse singles on Sundays only if the result has already been decided.

The ITF also voted to allow captains free substitution of players for the fourth and fifth singles matches of the Fed Cup final.

In other Davis Cup matters, the delegations voted against introducing a tie-break in the fifth set.

And the entitlement of rest for men was increased from 30 to 45 games. The new rule means a player must now play 45 games before he’s entitled not to be called up for anothermatch on the same day.

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The regulations were adopted at the ITF’s annual general assembly in the Netherlands.