The recent revelation by The Sun unveils a significant alteration in the format of the upcoming Champions League draw, closely linked to two illustrious figures in the world of tennis, namely Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
During their peak era, Federer, Nadal, and Novak Djokovic often collided in finals, given their dominance over the rest of the field. Additionally, the seeding system in tennis has historically facilitated top players avoiding each other until the final match.
The Sun discloses that during discussions on the new format for the Champions League draw, UEFA officials extensively deliberated on potential finals featuring Federer and Nadal. They believe that rational arrangements within tennis have maximized the value proposition for top players, consequently significantly boosting the appeal of each tournament.
Inspired by the legacy of Federer and Nadal, UEFA has adjusted the Champions League draw format to what they deem most logical. With the increase in participating clubs from 32 to 36 teams, teams will now accumulate points collectively rather than being divided into groups. This format ensures each representative competes in 8 matches, comprising 4 home and 4 away fixtures, resulting in a total of 189 matches, an increase from the previous 125.
At this stage, the top 8 teams will automatically qualify for the knockout stage. Meanwhile, teams ranked from 9th to 24th will engage in a two-legged playoff to determine the remaining slots.
Starting from the round of 16, a seeding system akin to tennis will be implemented, ensuring that the top 4 teams avoid each other until the semifinals. Notably, the two highest-seeded teams will only meet if they both progress to the final match.