Davis Cup Finals 2023 Preview: A guide to the ‘Final 8’
The Davis Cup Finals are set to take place next week, with eight nations vying to become champions of the world.
And we, at Tennishead, have everything you need to know about the prestigious tournament:
What is the Davis Cup?
The Davis Cup was founded all the way back in 1900, with the first three editions just taking place between the United States of America and the ‘British Isles’.
Since then, the competition has expanded to include 155 nations, who compete in array of different divisions from the World Group to Group V in some regions.
Nations compete to work their way up the different groups, with the eventual goal to qualify for the Davis Cup Finals that take place towards the end of each year.
Some ties are still played in a home-and-away format, however the finals are now held in pre-arranged locations.
Both Russia and Belarus are currently banned from the competition due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
How do the Davis Cup Finals work?
The Davis Cup Finals take place over two stages, the group stages and the knockout stages.
There were a total of sixteen nations at the Davis Cup Finals Group Stages, that took place back in September in four different locations (Bologna, Manchester, Valencia and Split), with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout stages that are branded as ‘The Final 8’.
These knockout stages, beginning with the quarter-finals, are held at one pre-arranged location and are played in a best-of-three rubber format.
Each tie will consist of two singles matches, with the No.1 chosen player competing against the No.1 from the opposing nation and so forth, followed by a deciding doubles match if needed.
When are the 2023 Davis Cup Finals?
The Davis Cup knockout stages will begin on Tuesday 21st November, with the first of the four quarter-final ties.
Following the conclusion of the four quarter-finals on Thursday 23rd November will be the semi-finals on Friday and Saturday, before the grand final takes place to crown the world champions on Sunday 26th November at 4pm local time (3pm GMT).
It's coming and it's not to be missed. ❤️🔥
Grab your tickets now to ignite your passion at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga 21-26 November 👇
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) October 2, 2023
Where are the 2023 Davis Cup Finals held?
The Davis Cup Finals knockout stages will take place in Malaga, Spain, for a second consecutive year at the Martin Carpena Arena.
This indoor sporting venue hosts a capacity of 11,300 spectators, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the grand final all taking place on one court.
Who is playing at the 2023 Davis Cup Finals?
The 2023 Davis Cup Finals consist of a mixture of familiar faces with the likes of 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic representing Serbia, and some more obscure names in the Finnish lineup.
Last year saw the likes of Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov steer the Canadian’s to their first ever Davis Cup title, however it was actually the likes of Gabriel Diallo, Alexis Galarneau and Vasek Pospisil who helped advance them to the knockout stages in 2023.
Auger-Aliassime has returned to lead his nation once again, but Shapovalov is still absent due to an ongoing knee injury.
On paper Canada have been offered a favourable quarter-final draw against Finland, however they should not be underestimated after eliminating record 32-time champions USA in Split.
Last year’s runners-up Australia have come to Malaga with an identical lineup to 2022, and will be hoping to go one better when they take on a tricky Czech team lead by Jiri Lehecka.
Jannik Sinner is one of five players participating in both the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup Finals. however the world No.4 is backed up by a strong lineup of singles and doubles players ahead of the Italian’s quarter-final tie with the Netherlands.
Perhaps the most intriguing tie of them all is between Great Britain and Serbia, with Djokovic openly revealing one of his main goals for the season is to regain the Davis Cup, 13 years after his nations maiden triumph.
Fans had hoped for the rivalry between Djokovic and Andy Murray to be reignited, however that can no longer happen after the Brit withdrew due to a minor shoulder injury.
Here are the full quarter-final lineups:
Canada vs Finland – Tuesday 21st November at 4pm local time (3pm GMT)
| Canada | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | SR* | DR** |
| Felix Auger-Aliassime | 29 | 164 |
| Gabriel Diallo | 136 | 382 |
| Alexis Galarneau | 198 | 486 |
| Vasek Pospisil | 300 | 572 |
| Milos Raonic | 323 | – |
| Captain: Frank Dancevic | ||
| Finland | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | SR | DR |
| Emil Ruusuvuori | 71 | 418 |
| Otto Virtanen | 170 | 361 |
| Patrick Kaukovalta | 781 | 710 |
| Harri Heliövaara | – | 29 |
| Patrik Niklas-Salminen | – | 123 |
| Captain: Jarkko Nieminen | ||
Czechia vs Australia – Wednesday 22nd November at 4pm local time (3pm GMT)
| Czechia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | SR | DR |
| Jiri Lehecka | 31 | 148 |
| Tomas Machać | 70 | – |
| Jakub Mensik | 152 | 545 |
| Adam Pavlasek | – | 56 |
| Captain: Jaroslav Navratil | ||
| Australia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | SR | DR |
| Alex de Minaur | 12 | 176 |
| Alexei Popyrin | 40 | 258 |
| Max Purcell | 45 | 35 |
| Jordan Thompson | 56 | 105 |
| Matthew Ebden | – | 4 |
| Captain: Lleyton Hewitt | ||
Italy vs Netherlands – Thursday 23rd November at 10am local time (9am GMT)
| Italy | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | SR | DR |
| Jannik Sinner | 4 | 497 |
| Lorenzo Musetti | 27 | 284 |
| Matteo Arnaldi | 44 | 572 |
| Lorenzo Sonego | 47 | 244 |
| Simone Bolelli | – | 55 |
| Captain: Filippo Volandri | ||
| Netherlands | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | SR | DR |
| Tallon Griekspoor | 23 | 109 |
| Botic Van de Zandschulp | 52 | 84 |
| Gijs Brouwer | 163 | 442 |
| Wesley Koolhof | – | 5 |
| Jean-Julien Rojer | – | 18 |
| Captain: Paul Haarhuis | ||
Serbia vs Great Britain – Thursday 23rd November at 4pm local time (3pm GMT)
| Serbia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | SR | DR |
| Novak Djokovic | 1 | – |
| Laslo Djere | 33 | 572 |
| Dusan Lajovic | 46 | 847 |
| Miomir Kecmanovic | 55 | 159 |
| Hamad Medjedovic | 110 | 1357 |
| Captain: Viktor Troicki | ||
| Great Britain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | SR | DR |
| Cameron Norrie | 18 | 195 |
| Jack Draper | 61 | – |
| Liam Broady | 102 | 238 |
| Neal Skupski | – | 3 |
| Joe Salisbury | – | 12 |
| Captain: Leon Smith | ||
*Singles Ranking
**Doubles Ranking
READ NEXT: Jannik Sinner dismisses injury concerns after perfect ATP Finals group stage
Previous winners of the Davis Cup
The United States of America won the first ever Davis Cup back in 1900, and have gone onto win it more times than any other nation (32).
Last year saw a new name added to the trophy, with Canada beating Australia 2-0 in the final in Malaga.
Here are the last 10 winners of the Davis Cup:
| Year | Location | Winner |
| 2012 | Prague, Czech Republic | Czechia (2) |
| 2013 | Belgrade, Serbia | Czechia (3) |
| 2014 | Lille, France | Switzerland |
| 2015 | Ghent, Belgium | Great Britain (10) |
| 2016 | Zagreb, Croatia | Argentina |
| 2017 | Lille, France | France (10) |
| 2018 | Lille, France | Croatia (2) |
| 2019 | Madrid, Spain | Spain (6) |
| 2021 | Madrid, Spain | Russian Tennis Federation (3) |
| 2022 | Malaga, Spain | Canada |
Canadian tennis is on top of the 🌍
Exactly 350 days after Canada's @DavisCup team became World Champions, the Canadian #BJKCup team has achieved the same feat! #BJKCupFinals pic.twitter.com/n72wziDmoJ
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) November 12, 2023
How can you watch the 2023 Davis Cup Finals?
You can watch all of Great Britain’s ties and the Davis Cup Finals final on the BBC iPlayer or on the BBC Sport website in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
To watch the entire tournament in Malaga in your location, you can subscribe to Tennis Channel International.
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