Sam Querrey urged tennis to scrap an LA28 rule linking Davis Cup play to Olympic eligibility, saying it may affect availability. He said he was not claiming the rule prompted Ben Shelton’s Davis Cup appearance in Prague days after the US Open final.
Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, Querrey said LA28 rules require a player to be part of the final nominated Davis Cup team and present at a tie or event on at least two occasions during the Olympic cycle. At least one appearance must be in 2027 or 2028. Possible exceptions include injury or illness, the strength of a nation’s team and limited selection opportunities.
Shelton reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, where Alexander Zverev beat him, then lost to Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 and Jakub Mensik 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in Prague. The US lost 3-2 to Czechia and missed the Final 8. Querrey said Shelton may simply have been happy to represent the US; Shelton has not publicly said the rule was why he played.