2023-11-26 20:54:44
Great Britain lost to France in the qualifying round of the Billie Jean King Cup in April but beat Sweden in their November play-off
Great Britain’s men have been awarded a wildcard for next year’s Davis Cup, while the women’s team will enter the qualifying round of the Billie Jean King Cup in April.
GB’s men have received a wildcard in three of the past five years.
They will not have to play a qualifier in February, instead entering the tournament in September’s group stage.
GB’s women will face France in the qualifying round for the second successive year.
France beat Anne Keothavong’s team in Coventry this year, meaning they will host April’s qualifiers.
By receiving a Davis Cup wildcard, Great Britain will definitely be able to host one of September’s four groups. In 2022, the Lawn Tennis Association signed a multi-year dealexternal-link with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to host group stage matches.
“I think with the format we have today it’s important to have some reassurance with where the group stages are going to be,” said David Haggerty, president of the ITF.
“We find that this brings stability to the competition – it gives more certainty to the players for them to plan their schedule.”
Seville have once more been confirmed as hosts for the BJK Cup Finals in November, with Spain, wildcards Czech Republic, this year’s champions Canada and runners-up Italy qualifying automatically.
Malaga will host the Davis Cup Finals knockout stage in November for the third year in a row, despite world number one Novak Djokovic saying this week that the tournament “has to travel” around the world.
Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt, speaking following his side’s 2-0 loss to Italy in the final, said the lack of home and away ties was “not ideal”
“We are playing on a surface that I’m really sick of playing on, to be honest,” the former Wimbledon champion said.
“That’s not what Davis Cup is regarding. It’s playing on clay, grass, outdoor elements. It’s obviously pretty frustrating.”
Davis Cup tournament director and former player Feliciano Lopez said defended the decision, however, saying he had a “productive conversation” with Djokovic.
“One of the things he said is that the final leg should be rotated a little bit more,” he said. “But Spain was also willing to bid for the final eight – in Madrid first, and then in Malaga.
“I think it’s going to be tough to find another city in Europe that has everything Malaga is at the moment offering because the weather is attractive, the venue is fantastic, the people from this region are very welcoming.
“So we are in the right place, but I do agree that’s it’s not going to stay forever in Malaga.”
In this year’s tournament, Djokovic’s Serbia knocked out GB on Thursday but were beaten in the semi-final by eventual champions Italy.
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