Davis Cup and Billie Jean Cup set for 'exciting' new format in 2025
Published 04/10/2024 at 18:33 GMT+1
There will be some changes in the format of both the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup as of next year. The news was confirmed on Friday and there will be a further update on the hosts of both finals tournaments soon. Malaga hosts the final stages of both competitions in 2024. Great Britain face Australia, Germany, Japan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the USA in the Billie Jean Cup Finals.
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Two of the most prestigious team competitions in tennis are set for a revamp in 2025, with new formats announced for the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup.
There will no longer be four group stage events played across six days in the Davis Cup, and will be replaced by seven home-or-away ties over two days.
The seven winners from those ties will then join the host nation to compete in the Final 8 tournament in November.
Meanwhile, the number of teams competing in the Billie Jean Cup Finals will be trimmed from 12 to eight in order to match the current Davis Cup Final 8 format.
Commenting on the changes, International Tennis Federation president David Haggerty said: "Today’s news is another positive step forward for both the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge and Davis Cup, and I am excited for the future of both competitions.
"The format amendments aim to build on the success we have seen across both events in recent years and contributes towards our long-term ambition to bring them more in sync under the World Cup of Tennis banner.
“In the Billie Jean King Cup, the move to an eight-team finals aligns with the Davis Cup Final 8 format which has proven to be such a success. Moving the Davis Cup September stage from six-day group stage events to two-day home-or-away ties will ease players’ schedules immediately following the US Open, while maintaining the intensity of the competition that they all love.
"The move also allows us to showcase world-class tennis in more nations around the world and increase awareness and participation. With these exciting developments for 2025 now confirmed, our focus is on delivering a spectacular fortnight of tennis at the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Finals and Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga in November.”
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The bidding processes for both competitions are now underway, with no fixed dates yet concerning when these will be finalised.
Argentina, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the USA will take part in this year's Davis Cup Final 8 competition.
Great Britain failed to qualify for the Final 8 in that competition, but will feature in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
They will battle it out with Australia, Germany, Japan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the USA.
The final tournaments in both competitions this year will both be held in Malaga.
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