PRESS RELEASE
21 September 2016
International Tennis Federation launches the next phase of its international team competitions strategy
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) today announced the next phase of its international team competitions strategy. With an emphasis on format changes to Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas at all levels of the competitions, this next phase will also look at innovative new ways to host both finals.
The next phase will include:
- The launch of an open bid process to assess fixed host cities for the Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Finals – a model used by events including the UEFA Champions League Final, Superbowl and European Rugby Champions Cup;
- Further steps towards the introduction of a 16-team World Group for Fed Cup by BNP Paribas via the introduction of a Final Four event;
- A full industry consultation on scheduling alternatives for the 2020 season;
- A review of current match formats used in Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, particularly the current best-of- five-sets approach and scheduling requirements during the week;
- An extensive feasibility study, by the newly created Davis & Fed Cup Taskforce, of format changes below World Group to better support and encourage involvement in both Davis and Fed Cup – particularly by developing tennis nations, and to further increase worldwide interest and viewership;
- A full assessment of current staging options for host venues and cities;
- A review of Junior Davis Cup and Fed Cup including the potential benefits of introducing new age group events;
All recommendations will be put to the ITF AGM in August 2017 with all changes requiring a formal vote of approval.
The bidding process for National Associations and cities interested in hosting the Finals will begin in December 2016 with the decision on successful bids anticipated to be made in the summer of 2017.
Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas have enjoyed significant fan growth over the past two years. Fan attendance has risen to 700,000 spectators annually, with the 2014 Davis Cup Final in Lille attracting the largest ever attendance for a recognised tennis match of 27,448 spectators. Broadcast of both events has now reached 3.6 billion households across 156 territories and the ITF has grown its combined social media audience to 1 million worldwide.
The draw for the 2017 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas will be made in London on Thursday 22 September. The final of the 2016 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas will be held on 12-13 November at Rhenus Sport stadium in Strasbourg. The final of the 2016 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas will be held on 25-27 November with the venue to be announced shortly.
Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in sport, with 135 teams entered in 2016. The competition is 116 years old having been founded in 1900. The title sponsor is BNP Paribas, the Official Bank of Davis Cup. International sponsors are Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Adecco (Official HR Sponsor) and Betway (Official Betting Sponsor). beIN SPORTS is the Official Global Media Rights Partner. Follow all the action on www.daviscup.com, www.copadavis.com, www.twitter.com/daviscup, www.facebook.com/DavisCupTennis, www.Weibo.com/daviscupofficial and www.DavisCup.tv