Italy | |
---|---|
Captain | Filippo Volandri |
ITF ranking | 1 (27 November 2023) |
First year | 1922 |
Years played | 84 |
Ties played (W–L) | 242 (159–83) |
Years in World Group | 24 (19–23) |
Davis Cup titles | 3 (1976, 2023, 2024) |
Runners-up | 6 (1960, 1961, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1998) |
Most total wins | Nicola Pietrangeli (120–44) |
Most singles wins | Nicola Pietrangeli (78–32) |
Most doubles wins | Nicola Pietrangeli (42–12) |
Best doubles team | Orlando Sirola, Nicola Pietrangeli (34–8) |
Most ties played | Nicola Pietrangeli (66) |
Most years played | Nicola Pietrangeli (18) |
The Italy men's national tennis team represents Italy in Davis Cup tennis competition and is governed by the Italian Tennis Federation. Italy is the reigning champions, claiming the Davis Cup in 2024. It is three-time champions overall, also winning in 1976 and in 2023, and finishing as runners-up six times (1960, 1961, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1998). Nicola Pietrangeli is one of Italy's most decorated players, featuring in all major records for the team. He holds the record for most Davis Cup ties, most overall wins, most singles wins, most doubles wins (both individually and as part of a team), and most years played. [1]
Italy competed in its first Davis Cup in the 1922 International Lawn Tennis Challenge. Prior to World War II, Italy generally made it to the quarterfinals of the European Zone and featured in the Inter-zonal final twice – once in 1928 and once in 1930. The Inter-zonal final was the final match of competition before the Challenge Round match, where the winner would earn the right to challenge the defending champion. On both occasions, Italy lost to the United States by a scoreline of 4–1. Uberto De Morpurgo was the Davis Cup captain for both matches and was the only player to register a win in his two single rubbers.
Two years after the resumption of the tournament which was put on hold due to World War II, Italy made its first reappearance in 1948. Italy was very strong over this period, appearing in four Inter-zonal finals in 1949, 1952, 1955 and 1958 before finally securing its maiden Challenge Round tie in 1960. Unfortunately, Italy were unable to overcome a strong Australian team featuring Rod Laver and Neale Fraser, losing 4–1 at White City in Sydney. Italian legend, Nicola Pietrangeli managed to win Italy's only point when he defeated Fraser in a dead-rubber match on the final day. The following year, Italy were again able to reach the Challenge Round Final after defeating the United States 4–1 in the Final in Rome. Pietrangeli won both his singles matches and his doubles match. However, Italy would again fall at the final hurdle. On this occasion, Italy lost 5–0 to Australia at Kooyong Stadium in Melbourne. The Australian side would again feature Laver (in singles and doubles) and Fraser (in doubles only), and were joined by Roy Emerson who played two singles matches. The Italian side once again featured Pietrangeli and also Orlando Sirola across all five matches. In 1962, Italy lost in the European Final to Sweden 1–4.
Following a somewhat lean period from 1963 to 1972, which included only one European Final in 1968, Italy returned to form in the competition with mixed success. In 1973 they made a European Final before going one step further the following year, losing 4–1 to South Africa in 1974 in the Inter-zonal Semifinals. Two years later, Italy claimed its maiden Davis Cup title when they defeated Chile 4–1 at Estadio Nacional in Santiago. Italy took an early lead on Day 1, after Corrado Barazzutti and Adriano Panatta both won their singles matches. Then Italy took an unassailable 3–0 lead the following day, when Panatta teamed up with Paolo Bertolucci in the doubles, and after finding themselves one-set-to-love down, won the next three sets to win the rubber in four sets. Over the next four years, Italy would reach the Davis Cup final three times, losing all three ties.
Since the World Group format begun in 1981, Italy were able to maintain their top 16 status for twenty years. Italy finished as quarterfinalists or better in twelve of those twenty years, including two semifinal loses and one final loss. In the first four years of the format, Italy played Great Britain three times in the first round winning two and losing once. This loss came in the first year of World Group format, forcing them into an end of year World Group regelation play-off against South Korea. They won the tie 4–1 at home in Sanremo earning the right to continue in the World Group for the 1982 edition. [2]
In 1986, Italy lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals and then again in the first round of the 1987 edition forcing them once again into a relegation playoff. They were drawn against South Korea for a second playoff match, this time being held in Seoul. Once again Italy prevailed in the match, 3–2, avoiding relegation into the Europe/Africa Zone for 1988. [3]
Sweden defeated Italy for a third time in the new format in the first round of the 1989 Davis Cup World Group. Italy survived the playoff by defeating Denmark 4–1 away in Aarhus. [4] Italy finally defeated Sweden in their fourth meeting of the new format, with a 3–2 home win in Cagliari in the first round of the 1990 Davis Cup. [5] However, they would lose 5–0 to Austria in the quarterfinals. [6]
In the 2000 Davis Cup, Italy lost 4–1 away to Spain setting them up for World Group Playoff clash against Belgium. Playing at home in Rome, Italy lost the tie 4–1, meaning they would be relegated for the first time in the World Group era.
After Italy's World Group playoff loss, they were relegated to Europe/Africa Zone Group I for the 2001 edition of the tournament. Italy would not return to the World Group until they defeated Chile 4–1 away in the 2011 Davis Cup World Group play-offs. Between 2013 and 2018, Italy were defeated in the Quarterfinals on four occasions and once in the Semifinals. Since the restructuring of the competition in 2019, Italy has made it into the Semifinals in 2022.
Twenty-five years after the last final (1998) and 47 years after the last victory (1976), on 26 November 2023 Italy returns to win the Davis Cup, beating Australia 2–0.
On 24 November 2024, Jannik Sinner won the deciding game to beat the Netherlands 2-0 and give Italy the third Davis Cup, which adds up to Italy's women winning the Billie Jean King Cup title on the same year. [7]
Italy has played no less than 15 semifinals. Italy has recorded eight defeats and seven wins. Of those eight losses, Italy has suffered four whitewash defeats – losing 5–0 to Australia in 1949 and 1955 and the United States in 1952 and 1958. Of the seven semifinals won, the greatest margin was a 4–1 victory, achieved on four occasions. These wins occurred in 1961 and 1998 against the United States, in 1977 against France and in 1979 against Czechoslovakia. [8]
Here is the list of all match-ups since 1981, when the competition started being held in the current World Group format.
Year | Competition | Date | Location | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Europe/Africa Zone Group I, 1st Round | 5–7 March | Castellaneta (ITA) | Belarus | 5–0 | Win |
Europe/Africa Zone Group I, 2nd Round | 7–9 May | Zoetermeer (NED) | Netherlands | 4–1 | Win | |
World Group play-offs | 17–19 September | Lidköping (SWE) | Sweden | 2–3 | Loss | |
2011 | Europe/Africa Zone Group I, 2nd Round | 8–10 July | Arzachena (ITA) | Slovenia | 5–0 | Win |
World Group play-offs | 16–18 September | Santiago (CHI) | Chile | 4–1 | Win | |
2012 | World Group, 1st Round | 10–12 February | Ostrava (CZE) | Czech Republic | 4–1 | Loss |
World Group play-offs | 14–16 September | Napoli (ITA) | Chile | 4–1 | Win | |
2013 | World Group, 1st Round | 1–3 February | Turin (ITA) | Croatia | 5–0 | Win |
World Group, quarterfinals | 5–7 April | Vancouver (CAN) | Canada | 3–2 | Loss | |
2014 | World Group, 1st Round | 31 January – 2 February | Mar del Plata (ARG) | Argentina | 3–1 | Win |
World Group, quarterfinals | 4–6 April | Napoli (ITA) | Great Britain | 3–2 | Win | |
World Group, semifinals | 12–14 September | Geneva (SWI) | Switzerland | 2–3 | Loss | |
2015 | World Group, 1st Round | 6–8 March | Astana (KAZ) | Kazakhstan | 2–3 | Loss |
World Group play-offs | 18–20 September | Irkutsk (RUS) | Russia | 4–1 | Win | |
2016 | World Group, 1st Round | 4–6 March | Pesaro (ITA) | Switzerland | 5–0 | Win |
World Group, quarterfinals | 15–17 July | Pesaro (ITA) | Argentina | 1–3 | Loss | |
2017 | World Group, 1st Round | 3–5 February | Buenos Aires (ARG) | Argentina | 3–2 | Win |
World Group, quarterfinals | 7–9 April | Charleroi (BEL) | Belgium | 2–3 | Loss | |
2018 | World Group, 1st Round | 2–4 February | Morioka (JPN) | Japan | 3–1 | Win |
World Group, quarterfinals | 6–8 April | Genoa (ITA) | France | 1–3 | Loss | |
2019 | Qualifying round | 2–4 February | Kolkata (IND) | India | 3–1 | Win |
Finals, Round-robin | 18 November | Madrid (ESP) | Canada | 1–2 | Loss | |
Finals, Round-robin | 20 November | Madrid (ESP) | United States | 1–2 | Loss |
Year | Competition | Date | Location | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020–21 [9] | Qualifying round | 6–7 March | Cagliari (ITA) | South Korea | 4–0 | Win |
Finals, Round-robin | 26 November | Turin (ITA) | United States | 2–1 | Win | |
Finals, Round-robin | 27 November | Turin (ITA) | Colombia | 2–1 | Win | |
Finals, quarterfinals | 29 November | Turin (ITA) | Croatia | 1–2 | Loss | |
2022 | Qualifying round | 4–5 March | Bratislava (SVK) | Slovakia | 3–2 | Win |
Finals, Round-robin | 14 September | Bologna (ITA) | Croatia | 3–0 | Win | |
Finals, Round-robin | 16 September | Bologna (ITA) | Argentina | 2–1 | Win | |
Finals, Round-robin | 18 September | Bologna (ITA) | Sweden | 2–1 | Win | |
Finals, quarterfinals | 24 November | Málaga (ESP) | United States | 2–1 | Win | |
Finals, semifinals | 26 November | Málaga (ESP) | Canada | 1–2 | Loss | |
2023 | Finals, Round-robin | 13 september | Bologna (ITA) | Canada | 0–3 | Loss |
Finals, Round-robin | 15 September | Bologna (ITA) | Chile | 3–0 | Win | |
Finals, Round-robin | 17 September | Bologna (ITA) | Sweden | 2–1 | Win | |
Finals, quarterfinals | 23 November | Málaga (ESP) | Netherlands | 2–1 | Win | |
Finals, semifinals | 25 November | Málaga (ESP) | Serbia | 2–1 | Win | |
Finals, final | 26 November | Málaga (ESP) | Australia | 2–0 | Champions | |
2024 | Finals, Round-robin | 11 September | Bologna (ITA) | Brazil | 2–1 | Win |
Finals, Round-robin | 13 September | Bologna (ITA) | Belgium | 2–1 | Win | |
Finals, Round-robin | 15 September | Bologna (ITA) | Netherlands | 2–1 | Win | |
Finals, quarterfinals | 21 November | Málaga (ESP) | Argentina | 2–1 | Win | |
Finals, semifinals | 23 November | Málaga (ESP) | Australia | 2–0 | Win | |
Finals, final | 24 November | Málaga (ESP) | Netherlands | 2–0 | Champions |
Player | Born | ATP ranking | Debut | Ties | Win-loss | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Singles | Doubles | Singles | Doubles | Total | ||||
Jannik Sinner | 16 August 2001 | 1 | 338 | 2021 | 12 | 12–1 | 3–3 | 15–4 |
Lorenzo Musetti | 3 March 2002 | 17 | 180 | 2021 | 10 | 2–5 | 1–2 | 3–7 |
Matteo Berrettini | 12 April 1996 | 35 | - | 2019 | 13 | 9–2 | 2–2 | 11–4 |
Andrea Vavassori | 5 May 1995 | 256 | 9 | 2024 | 3 | 0–0 | 1–2 | 1–2 |
Simone Bolelli | 8 October 1985 | - | 11 | 2007 | 34 | 7–9 | 17–13 | 24–22 |
Although Italy had started its adventure in the Davis Cup back in 1922, it was only in 1928 that the team had its first captain and it was Baron Uberto De Morpurgo, who was also a player on that occasion.
Beginning in the 1950s, the team captain's position became a kind of coach called the non-playing captain. [10]
Name | Tenure | Total | Finals | Best result [a] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | Years | F | Years | S | Years | |||
Uberto de Morpurgo | 1928–? [11] | |||||||
Vasco Valerio | 1965–1968 | 4 | QF | 1968 | ||||
Orlando Sirola | 1969–1971 | 3 | 3R | 1969 | ||||
Giordano Maioli | 1972 | 1 | 3R | 1972 | ||||
Fausto Gardini | 1973–1975 | 3 | SF | 1974 | ||||
Nicola Pietrangeli | 1976–1977 | 3 | 1 | 1976 | 1 | 1977 | n/a | |
Bitti Bergamo | 1978–1979 [12] | 2 | 1 | 19791 | n/a | |||
Vittorio Crotta | 1979–1983 | 4 | 2 | 19791, 1980 | n/a | |||
Adriano Panatta | 1984–1997 [13] | 14 | SF | 1996, 1997 | ||||
Paolo Bertolucci | 1998–2000 | 3 | 1 | 1998 | n/a | |||
Corrado Barazzutti | 2001–2020 | 20 | SF | 2014 | ||||
Filippo Volandri | 2021– [14] | 3 | 2 | 2023, 2024 | n/a |
1 Crotta replaced Bergamo as captain after the Semifinals during the 1979 campaign.
Record | Details | Report | |
---|---|---|---|
Youngest player | 17 years, 327 days | Diego Nargiso versus Israel in 1988 World Group, first round | [15] |
Oldest player | 38 years, 342 days | Simone Bolelli versus Netherlands in 2024 Davis Cup Finals, Group stage | [16] |
Longest rubber duration | 4 hours, 29 minutes | Federico Luzzi defeated Ville Liukko (FIN) in 2001 Europe/Africa Zone Group I, quarterfinals | [17] |
Longest tie duration | 13 hours, 45 minutes | Italy defeated Poland in 2004 Europe/Africa Zone Group II, Final | [18] |
Longest tie-break | 30 points (16–14) | Paolo Lorenzi defeated Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) in 2016 World Group, first round | [19] |
Longest final set | 28 games (15–13) | Nestor / Pospisil (CAN) defeated Bracciali / Fognini in 2013 World Group, quarterfinals | [20] |
Most games in a set | 38 (20–18) | Alex Olmedo (USA) defeated Orlando Sirola in 1958 Inter-zonal Final | [21] |
Most games in a rubber | 79 | Barry MacKay (USA) defeated Nicola Pietrangeli in 1960 Inter-zonal Final | [22] |
Most games in a tie | 281 | Italy defeated United States in 1960 Inter-zonal Final | [22] |
Most decisive victory (best of 5 rubbers) | 15 sets (15–0) | Italy defeated Monaco in 1968 Europe Zone A, quarterfinals | [23] |
Most decisive victory (best of 3 rubbers) | 4 sets (6–2) | Italy defeated Croatia in 2022 Davis Cup Finals, Group A | [24] |
Longest winning run | 9 ties | 1976 Europe Zone B, preliminary round Quarterfinal – 1977 Inter-zonal Semifinal (from 30 April 1976 until 16 September 1977) | [25] [26] |
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The Italian team has participated in 91 editions of the Davis Cup since 1922. [27]
W | F | SF | QF | #R | RR | Z# | PO | A | NH | P |
1921–1940 | Challenge Round era | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 |
17 | A | 2R | 2R | 2R | 2R | 2R | 3R | SF | 3R | SF | 3R | QF | 3R | 3R | 2R | A | 3R | 3R | 3R | NH |
1941–1960 | Challenge Round era | |||||||||||||||||||
Part | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 |
13 | NH | NH | NH | NH | NH | A | A | 4R | SF | 4R | 4R | SF | 4R | 3R | SF | QF | 5R | SF | QF | F |
1961–1980 | Challenge Round era | Zonal | ||||||||||||||||||
Part | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 |
20 | F | QF | 1R | 3R | 3R | 3R | 3R | QF | 3R | 1R | 2R | 3R | QF | SF | 2R | W | F | 2R | F | F |
1981–2000 | World Group | |||||||||||||||||||
Part | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 |
20 | 1R | QF | QF | QF | 1R | QF | 1R | QF | 1R | QF | 1R | QF | QF | 1R | QF | SF | SF | F | 1R | 1R |
2001–2020 | World Group | DCF | ||||||||||||||||||
Part | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
20 | PO | Z2 | Z2 | Z3 | PO | PO | PO | Z2 | PO | PO | PO | 1R | QF | SF | 1R | QF | QF | QF | RR | P |
2021–2040 | Davis Cup Finals | |||||||||||||||||||
Part | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||
4 | QF | SF | W | W |
Since Italy's debut in 1922, they have played against 48 nations with a winning record against 36 nations.
As of 9 July 2024, Italy has a perfect 100% winning record against 19 nations. The best of these is against Poland, achieving 100% of wins after 9 ties. Italy has not won a tie against three nations. The worst of these is against Canada, as they have been unable to record a win after four ties.
Result | Total | Challenge Round era (until 1971) | Post-Challenge Round era | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1972–1980 | Since 1981 | ||||||
# | Years | # | Years | # | Years | ||
Champions | 3 | 0 | — | 1 | 1976 | 2 | 2023, 2024 |
Runners-Up | 6 | 2 | 1960, 1961 | 3 | 1977, 1979, 1980 | 1 | 1998 |
Semifinalists | 11 | 6 | 1928, 1930, 1949, 1952, 1955, 1958 | 1 | 1974 | 4 | 1996, 1997, 2014, 2022 |
Quarterfinalists | 20 | 5 | 1932, 1956, 1959, 1962, 1968 | 1 | 1973 | 14 | 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020–21 |
Other results | |||||||
Not in Top 5 [b] or Zonal Final; [c] Lost in First Round [d] Group Stage [e] | 41 | 28 | 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1929, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971 | 2 | 1975, 1978 | 11 | POW (9): 1981, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1999, 2012, 2015 POL (1): 2000 GS (1): 2019 |
Not in World Group or Davis Cup Finals | 11 | — | — | 11 | POW (1): 2011 POL (6): 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 DNQ (4): 2001, 2003, 2004, 2008 |
1976
2023
2024
The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is organised by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and contested annually between teams from over 150 competing countries, making it the world's largest annual team sporting competition. 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.
Adriano Panatta is an Italian former professional tennis player. He won the French Open in 1976, when he became the first Italian man in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title. Panatta was also the only player ever to defeat Björn Borg at Roland Garros, doing so twice.
The Australia Davis Cup team is the second most successful team ever to compete in the Davis Cup, winning the coveted title on 28 separate occasions, second behind the United States with 32.
The 1934 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the 29th edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup. 10 teams would enter the Europe Zone, while only 5 would enter the Americas Zone, 3 in North America and 2 in South America. Due to the large number of entries in Europe, a "Qualifying Round" system was introduced in order to better manage the number of teams competing. European teams which lost before the 1933 Europe Zone semifinals would play-off against each other for four spots in the 1934 Europe Zone main draw.
The 1955 Davis Cup was the 44th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 24 teams entered the Europe Zone, 7 teams entered the America Zone, and 3 teams entered the newly reinstated Eastern Zone. Burma competed for the first time.
The 1959 Davis Cup was the 48th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 27 teams entered the Europe Zone, 8 teams entered the Eastern Zone, and 7 teams entered the America Zone. The Europe Zone was modified so that only the previous year's semifinalists were guaranteed first round byes, allowing more countries to compete. Colombia made its first appearance in the tournament.
The 1960 Davis Cup was the 49th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 28 teams entered the Europe Zone, 6 teams entered the America Zone, and 6 teams entered the Eastern Zone. South Korea made its first appearance in the tournament.
The 1964 Davis Cup was the 53rd edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 32 teams entered the Europe Zone, 10 teams entered the Eastern Zone, and 7 teams entered the America Zone. Bulgaria and South Vietnam made their first appearances in the tournament.
The 1968 Davis Cup was the 57th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 32 teams entered the Europe Zone, 9 teams entered the Americas Zone, and 8 teams entered the Eastern Zone. Peru made its first appearance in the tournament, having previously entered on 3 occasions before subsequently withdrawing before competing in a tie.
The 1971 Davis Cup was the 60th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 28 teams entered the Europe Zone, 13 teams entered the Americas Zone, and 9 teams entered the Eastern Zone. Bolivia made its first appearance in the tournament.
The 1972 Davis Cup was the 61st edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 55 teams would enter the competition, 33 in the Europe Zone, 11 in the Americas Zone, and 11 in the Eastern Zone.
The 1974 Davis Cup was the 63rd edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 57 teams would enter the competition, 33 in the Europe Zone, 12 in the Americas Zone, and 12 in the Eastern Zone. Nigeria made its first appearance in the tournament.
The 1973 Davis Cup was the 62nd edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. Fifty-three teams entered the competition, 31 in the Europe Zone, 12 in the Americas Zone, and 10 in the Eastern Zone.
The 1975 Davis Cup was the 64th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 55 teams would enter the competition, 32 in the Europe Zone, 12 in the Americas Zone, and 11 in the Eastern Zone. Kenya made its first appearance in the tournament.
The 1976 Davis Cup was the 65th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 58 teams would enter the competition, 32 in the Europe Zone, 14 in the Americas Zone, and 12 in the Eastern Zone. This year's tournament saw all teams in the Americas Zone competing in one single bracket, with the previous North & Central America and South America sub-zones, and subsequently the Americas Inter-Zonal final, being eliminated. This brought the Americas Zone in line with the outline of the other zones, with the previous year's Americas sub-zone champions progressing to the new Americas main draw semifinals.
The 1977 Davis Cup was the 66th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 59 teams would enter the competition, 33 in the Europe Zone, 14 in the Americas Zone, and 12 in the Eastern Zone. Algeria made its first appearance in the tournament.
The 1980 Davis Cup was the 69th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 52 teams would enter the competition, 30 in the Europe Zone, 12 in the Americas Zone, and 10 in the Eastern Zone.
The 2016 Davis Cup was the 105th edition of the Davis Cup, a tournament between national teams in men's tennis. It was sponsored by BNP Paribas. From this season's tournament the deciding set of each match would be settled by a tiebreak at 6 games all rather than playing an advantage set until a player or a team were two games clear. Argentina won their first Davis Cup title, after 4 runner-up finishes, defeating Croatia in the final. Federico Delbonis defeated Ivo Karlović in the final match to give Argentina its first Davis Cup title, after a comeback from Juan Martín del Potro against Marin Čilić in the fourth match.
The 2017 Davis Cup was the 106th edition of the Davis Cup, a tournament between national teams in men's tennis. It was sponsored by BNP Paribas. France won their tenth title, with Lucas Pouille defeating Steve Darcis of Belgium on indoor hard in the final match held at Stade Pierre-Mauroy located in Villeneuve-d'Ascq on 26 November.
The Europe Zone was one of the two regional zones of the 1934 International Lawn Tennis Challenge.
He served as Captain of the Davis Cup team after his retirement...
Year played = 90