Tennis: ITF General Assembly adopts new format for the Davis Cup, first edition in 2019

The General Assembly of the International Tennis Federation has adopted the reform of the Davis Cup by 325 votes for (71.43%) 130 against, in Orlando (Florida, USA), on 16/08/2018. To be ratified, this reform had to obtain a two-thirds majority (66.6%).

"From 2019, the competition will see 18 nations and the world’s best players compete in a week long season finale to be crowned Davis Cup champions. The first edition of the new event will be held in Madrid (ESP) or Lille (FRA) from 18-24/11/2019, with the inaugural host city to be announced in the coming weeks," said the IFT.

The ITF signed a 25-year, $3bn partnership agreement with the Kosmos investment group (founded and chaired by the Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué, FC Barcelona) to change the format of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, and "generate substantial income for the development of world tennis," announced the international federation on 26/02/2018.

"There will be a significant increase in the nations' income from the competition and a new player prize fund of $20m, elevating Davis Cup by BNP Paribas to Grand Slam prize…