What is the Davis Cup?
The Davis Cup is a team competition between nations. Each match involves five ties of four singles and one doubles match played out over three days. The matches are played over five sets.
How is the Davis Cup structured?
There is a premier World Group with the 16 top nations, three Group I zones of equal status with promotion up and down and three Group II zones with equal status, again with promotion up and down. Below Group II are Groups III and IV, again with promotion and relegation, but where nobody wants to go. Ireland, unfortunately, have been there before, but are now in the Euro/African Group II.
At what level do Ireland play?
Loosely, Ireland's Group II could be called division three of Davis Cup tennis. If the team can beat Slovenia in their first match this weekend (April 30th), they then progress to meet either Senegal or Denmark in round two. Success in round two would then propel Ireland into a third-round match against Hungary, Greece, Togo or Bulgaria where a victory would guarantee promotion to division two of the competition, again misleadingly called Group I.
If Ireland lose to Slovenia, they go into a relegation play-off against either Denmark or Senegal. Defeat here and it is back into Group III. How many countries take part?
There are 129 nations in total. The World Group, is made up of the 16 top nations including the USA, Britain, Australia, Germany, France and Sweden.
Group One is split into three groups, depending on which side of the globe the nation is situated. The groups in this division are divided between Euro/African, Asia/Oceania and American countries comprising 24 nations.
Group Two also has three groups, again divided according to geographical boundaries comprising 24 nations. Groups III and IV have 57 nations competing.
How often is the Davis Cup played?
The competition is played every year but there is ongoing discussion about changing this practice. Top players such as Pete Sampras have suggested that it should be run every two years, claiming that it interferes too much with regular ATP tour competitions to be played on an annual basis.
