The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and is contested annually between teams from over 140 competing countries. It is described by the organisers as the "World Cup of Tennis", and the winners are referred to as the World Champions. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Great Britain and the United States. By 2023, 155 nations entered teams into the competition.
Anthony Frederick Wilding, also known as Tony Wilding, was a New Zealand world No. 1 tennis player and soldier who was killed in action during World War I. Considered the world's first tennis superstar, Wilding was the son of wealthy English immigrants to Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand and enjoyed the use of private tennis courts at their home. He obtained a legal education at Trinity College, Cambridge and briefly joined his father's law firm. Wilding was a first-class cricketer and a keen motorcycle enthusiast. His tennis career started with him winning the Canterbury Championships aged 17. He developed into a leading tennis player in the world during 1909–1914 and is considered to be a former world No. 1. He won 11 Grand Slam tournament titles, six in singles and five in doubles, and is the first and to date only player from New Zealand to have won a Grand Slam singles title. In addition to Wimbledon, he also won three other ILTF World Championships : In singles, two World Hard Court Championships (WHCC) (1913–14) and one World Covered Court Championships (WCCC) (1913). With his eleven Grand Slam tournaments, two WHCC and one WCCC titles, he has a total of fourteen Major tournament titles. His sweep of the three ILTF World Championships in 1913 was accomplished on three different surfaces being the first time this has been achieved in Major tournaments.
The 1900 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the first edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup.
The 1903 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the third edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup. The British Isles team returned to the United States to contest the Cup. The tie was played at the Longwood Cricket Club in Boston, Massachusetts. The British won 4-1, bringing the Cup to Britain for the first time.
The 1904 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the fourth edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup, and the first edition to be played outside American soil. As defending champions, the British Isles team played host to the competition, which featured teams from Belgium and France for the first time. Belgium and France would play for the right to challenge the British Isles for the cup. The ties were played at Worple Road in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom from 27 June to 5 July. Despite Malcolm Whitman giving his word that an American team would enter, the Americans failed to make a challenge before the 7 March deadline.
The 1905 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the fifth edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup. As defending champions, the British Isles team played host to the competition. The World Group ties were played at Queen's Club in London, England from 13–19 July, and the final was played on 21–24 July. Britain retained the Cup for their third championship.
The 1906 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the sixth edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup. As defending champions, the British Isles team played host to the competition. For the first time, the ties were not all played at the same location. The "World Group" ties were played at the Newport Athletic Club in Newport, Monmouthshire, England from 7–9 June, and the final was played at Worple Road in Wimbledon, London, England on 15–18 June. Britain retained the Cup for their fourth championship.
The 1907 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the seventh edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup. As defending champions, the British Isles team played host to the competition. After several years of more varied competition, only Australasia and the United States would challenge for the cup. Australasia won both ties, and became the third nation to win the cup. The ties were played at Worple Road in Wimbledon, London, England from 13–24 July.
The 1908 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the eighth edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup. For the first time, ties were held in different countries and at different times, rather than all the matches being played in the same venue, as before. It also marked the first time that a tie was played in Australia.
The 1909 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the ninth edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup. For the second straight year, only the British Isles and the United States would challenge Australasia for the Cup. After defeating the British in Philadelphia, the US traveled to Sydney, but was defeated again by the Australasian team. The final was played at the Double Bay Grounds on 27–30 November.
The 1911 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the tenth edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup, named after the American tennis player Dwight F. Davis. After no country decided to challenge Australasia in 1910, only the British Isles and the United States would challenge for the Cup, for the third straight edition. Also for the third straight edition, the Americans would beat the British to earn the right to play for the Cup, and for the third straight edition, the Aussies would beat the Americans for the title.
The 1913 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the 12th edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup. With Great Britain's win in 1912, the competition returned to Europe for the first time in five years. This prompted several new teams to join the competition, creating the largest field to date. The first round tie between Germany and France, played at Wiesbaden, Germany was the first Davis Cup tie to be played on clay courts, or any surface other than grass. The United States would triumph in the final, which was played at Worple Road in Wimbledon, London, England on 25–28 July.
The 1914 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the 13th edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup. The bulk of the competition returned to the United States for the first time since 1903. The United States fell to Australasia in the final, which was played at the West Side Tennis Club in New York on 13–15 August.
The 1919 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the 14th edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup. Following four years of non-competition due to World War I, the competition resumed with four teams challenging Australasia for the cup. Australasia defeated Great Britain to retain the title. The final was played at the Double Bay Grounds in Sydney, Australia on 16–21 January 1920.
The 1921 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the 16th edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup. In the playoff finals, newcomers Japan surprised Australasia 4–1, but would fall to defending champions the United States in the Challenge Round. The final was played 2–5 September at the West Side Tennis Club in New York City.
The 1922 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the 17th edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup. The tournament saw first-time entries from Italy and Romania. Australasia would storm through the preliminary round, but would fall to defending champions the United States in the challenge round. The final was played at the West Side Tennis Club in New York City, United States on 1–5 September.
The Australasia men's national tennis team represented Australia and New Zealand in Davis Cup tennis competition, and was governed by the Australasian Lawn Tennis Association.
James Cecil Parke was an Irish rugby union player, tennis player, golfer, solicitor and World War I veteran. He became an Olympic silver medallist, Davis Cup champion, Wimbledon Mixed Doubles winner and Australasian Championships winner in both Singles and Doubles. He has often been referred to as Ireland's greatest ever sportsman.
Philippe Washer was a Belgian tennis player. He competed in the Davis Cup a number of times, from 1946 to 1961. He was ranked world No. 8 in 1957.
British Isles 
