Explained: What is format of World Cup of Tennis - Davis Cup?

The USA have won the title a record 32 titles.

Davis Cup is a premier tennis competition in men’s tennis, conducted by ITF (International Tennis Federation). It is contested annually between teams from competing countries in a knock-out format and the winner of the finals is referred to as the World Champion team. The Davis Cup is also called the World Cup of tennis and has the most unique format in the sport. It is the only tournament where players get to represent their respective countries apart from the Olympics.

The inaugural edition was held way back in 1900 and the first match was between Great Britain and the United States of America. In 2023 a record 155 countries are taking part, and it makes it one of the rare events across the sport to have higher participating nations. The most successful country is the USA having won the title 32 times and finished runner-up 29 times (together has participated in record 61 finals) followed by Australasia (Australia + New Zealand) winning 28 times. The current champions are Canada who beat Australia to lift the title in 2022.

Davis Cup Format

Initially, the 18 best countries were to play in the main draw of the Davis Cup and the countries which do not compete in the main draw will play in their respective zones (Oceania/Asia, Africa/Europe, and the Americas). A best-of-five set (four singles and one double) is taken into account with the ITF deciding the host countries before the tournament begins. 

The losers of the first-round matches in the main draw play in the World Group playoff round, where they play along with winners from Group I of the regional zones. The playoff-round winners play in the World Group for the next year's tournament, while the losers play in Group I of their respective regional zones.

From the 2019 edition, a new structure was introduced in the World Group stage. The top 16 countries split into six groups with each group consisting of three countries. The winner from each group advances to the quarterfinals and the two best second-placed countries take up the last two spots. The series between the teams in this stage will feature two singles matches and one doubles match, instead of the best-of-5 series, with the matches changing from best of 5 sets to best of 3. The main modification is the World Group taking place at one location and in one week.

Level 1

World Group Stage (18 Countries)

Level 2 - Group One

Americas Zone - 6 Countries

Europe/Africa Zone - 11 Countries

Asia/Oceania Zone - 7 Countries

Level 3 - Group 2

Americas Zone - 8 Countries

Europe/Africa Zone - 16 Countries

Asia/Oceania Zone - 8 Countries

Level 4 - Group 3

Americas Zone - 8 Countries

Europe Zone - 15 Countries

Africa Zone - 10 Countries

Asia/Oceania Zone - 9 Countries

Level 5 - Group 4

Asia/Oceania Zone - 11 Countries

2023 Schedule

3-4 or 4-5 February

World Group I and II Qualifiers

12-17 September

Group Stage Finals

16-17 or 17-18 September

World Group I and II

21-26 November

Final 8 (Quarterfinals)

The winners from the World Group Stage I playoffs match to qualify for World Group Stage I. Whereas the loser plays in the World Group Stage II.