ITF reformats Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup scheme

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced the changes in the format of the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup. Both team-based events are organised on an annual basis where players from all over the world participate and showcase their talent.

As per the recent report, the ITF has announced the changes of format in both competitions. In the Davis Cup, the group stage has been discontinued. It will be replaced by two home and away qualifying round matches will take place in February and September whereas the host country will directly book their spot in the final round. The all-important final round will be played in November.

In the Billie Jean King Cup, there will be seven groups consisting of three teams each, and it will feature one host nation. The top team from each group will then book their spot in the next round, where they will be joined by the eighth team, which will be the host side, and they will qualify directly. Davis Cup is regarded as one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world.

The competition, which started back in 1900, has been won the most by Team USA, who lifted the title nine times. They are followed by Sweden, who won the title seven times, whereas Australia and Spain lifted the title six times each. Italy are the defending champion, as they defeated Australia in the final with a score of 2-0 last year. On the other hand, the Billie Jean King Cup started in 1963. The Czech Republic is the most successful team in the competition’s history as they have won on six occasions. Russia is second on the list with five titles, whereas Italy and the USA have won the titles on four occasions. Team Canada is the defending champion as they defeated Spain in the final with a score of 2-0.