Davis Cup Tennis

I looked at the website and from what I've seen It's like an olympic team. You get like the top players from your country. (however many that is) Then 1 player plays another player from another country and which ever has the most wins is the winner.

I could be totaly wrong I took a quick glance at the site and don't have much knowledge in tennis.

(Apologies in advance to any hard-core tennis fans who take exception to me simplifying the process.)

The Davis Cup is similar to a separate Tennis Olympiad, where national teams from all over the world (137 countries at last count) compete against each other for the Davis Cup (an actual trophy named after the fellow who organized the first tournament, and paid for the trophy out of his own pocket) every year. However, only sixteen teams in any year actually play for the Davis Cup

There are five tiers. The first is called the World Group--the sixteen teams who actually play for the Cup any given year. The second through fifth tiers are the Regional Tiers.

So, how does this work?

1) World Group teams play a 4-round single elim tourney every year for the Cup. The eight teams that advance to the second round automatically stay in the World Group.

2) Regional Tier I teams play against each other; the best eight teams play against the eight World Group first-round losers for the right to play in next year's World Group. The worst teams are demoted to Regional Tier II.

3) Regional Tier II teams play against each other; the best teams are promoted to Regional Tier I. The worst teams are demoted to Regional Tier III.

4) Regional Tier III teams play against each other; the best teams are promoted to Regional Tier II. The worst teams are demoted to Regional Tier IV.

5) Regional Tier IV teams play against each other; the best teams are promoted to Regional Tier III.



David Cup matches are difficult to follow because the organization and timing of the matches (referred to as ties) are haphazard and often in conflict with Tour events. However, it often serves as a springboard for young players to make a name for themselves (and receive regular compensation, I hope). It's another route (other than Challenge events and qualifiers) to gain recognition and receive invitations to high-tier (and paying) events.

The women have the Fed Cup, with similar issues.