LTA wins bid to host a Group Stage of Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals
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The LTA has been awarded a multi-year deal by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Kosmos Tennis to host the Group Stages of the Davis Cup Finals by Rakuten in Great Britain later this year.
The event, widely regarded as the ‘World Cup of Tennis’ will enable fans to see some of the world’s best players, with Britain playing at home for the first time since 2018.
Britain was chosen as one of four nations (along with Germany, Italy and Spain) to host the Group Stages of the Finals, which will be played from 14 -18 September this year. Each nation will play three times over the five-day competition. The top two nations from each of the four groups will advance to a quarterfinal knock-out competition held at a neutral venue (to be confirmed) between November 23-27.
The agreement between the LTA, the ITF and Kosmos Tennis to host a Group Stage in Great Britain will last for five years, on the basis that Britain qualifies or receives a wild card for the finals in each of those years. The Emirates Arena in Glasgow will be home to the competition in 2022 with a view to taking the event around the country in future years as part of the LTA vision to open tennis up to new audiences.
The LTA continues to explore ways to bring other international events to this country, as part of its strategic vision to further open up tennis to more audiences, including our on-going bid to also host the Billie Jean King Cup Finals later this year.
LTA Chief Executive Scott Lloyd said, “This is brilliant news for British tennis fans and we are thrilled to be bringing the excitement of the Davis Cup back home in 2022.
"Over the years we have seen exactly how much this competition has meant to both players and supporters, and it plays a big part in our ambition to stage more events around Great Britain, enabling us to open up tennis to more people.
"We are keen to bring other events to this country and remain in the running to host the Billie Jean King Cup finals later this year. Glasgow has been home to some fantastic ties in the past, including our victories over the USA and Australia in 2015, and it’s great to know that we’ll have such a knowledgeable and supportive crowd cheering our team on.”
LTA Director of Major Events and Digital, Chris Pollard said: “The LTA is keen to stage major events all year round and raise the profile of our sport outside the traditional grass court season.
"It’s particularly important to us to take these major events around the whole of Great Britain, and we look forward to working with government and other partners to maximise this opportunity to bring tennis to more people and change perceptions of the sport in this country.”
It plays a big part in our ambition to stage more events around Great Britain, enabling us to open up tennis to more people. We are keen to bring other events to this country and remain in the running to host the Billie Jean King Cup finals later this year.
Leon Smith, Davis Cup captain and LTA Head of Men’s Tennis added: “I’m absolutely thrilled that we will be hosting our group stages in Glasgow.
"We as a team and our fans experienced some of our best moments of Davis Cup in Glasgow and I know how much the players will enjoy the atmosphere of the British fans once again on home soil.”
The LTA believes this is an important opportunity to deliver a major boost to the game in Scotland and the national governing body will work with Tennis Scotland and local partners, so that they can continue to grow the game and capitalise on the event. Glasgow has hosted some memorable Davis Cup ties in the past – not least the pivotal victory over the USA or the crucial semifinal win over Australia, both in 2015 en route to Great Britain winning the coveted trophy for the first time in 79 years.
The Great Britain team are already confirmed to participate in Glasgow, along with three other nations. The draw for the group stage of the Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals will take place in London on Thursday 31 March 15:00 local time (14:00 GMT) and will be streamed live on the Davis Cup YouTube channel. Tickets will go on sale later this year and details will be announced in due course.
