Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup set for major makeover next year

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced significant format changes for the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup in the upcoming year. These adjustments are aimed at aligning the structures of the two prestigious team events in tennis and enhancing the overall competition experience for both players and fans.

Starting in 2025, the Billie Jean King Cup Finals will reduce the number of participating teams from 12 to eight, following the current format of the Davis Cup Finals. This adjustment is part of a broader strategy to unify the two tournaments. The new structure will involve seven groups of three teams each competing in qualifiers, with the group winners advancing to the Finals alongside the host nation.

Simultaneously, the Davis Cup will transition its group stage in September from a six-day competition to a series of seven home-or-away ties played over two days. The winning teams will then progress to the Finals in November, joining the host nation. The Billie Jean King Cup will also implement a home-or-away format for its qualifiers starting in 2026, further aligning the events.

ITF President David Haggerty emphasized the success of the Davis Cup’s Final 8 format, stating, “In 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.” He mentioned that condensing the Davis Cup’s September stage to two-day ties will lessen the strain on players, especially after the US Open, while maintaining the competition’s high level. Ilana Kloss, chair of Billie Jean King Cup Ltd., echoed these sentiments, highlighting the positive effects the changes will have on player well-being and fan engagement.

The bidding process for the 2025 host nations is currently ongoing, with this year’s Finals for both competitions set to take place in Malaga, Spain. The ITF’s modifications demonstrate its dedication to refining tennis’s global team competitions, ensuring their continuous growth and appeal. (source: ESPN)