ITF

2022 ITF Annual Review 41 MAJOR EVENTS promoted from regional compe on in 2021, hosted their first-ever Davis Cup e. All these es were played in the home-and-away format that is part of the unique fabric of Davis Cup. In the lower ers, a record 81 na ons competed in eight regional group events across Africa, Americas, Asia/Oceania and Europe. For 2023 onwards, the ITF is giving na ons hos ng home-and-away es the choice of days of play, enabling them to host on a Saturday and Sunday rather than only on a Friday and Saturday – this means home na ons have increased commercial and opera onal flexibility. We have responded to the growing number of na ons taking part in Davis Cup by increasing the number of regional groups to 10, which means smaller groups and therefore reduced costs for hos ng and par cipa ng na ons. The ITF wants to encourage more na ons to host, and we have seen the benefits of this change already, with seven more applica ons to host a Davis Cup regional event in 2023 compared to 2022. Working with the ATP For 2023 and beyond, the dates for the Davis Cup Finals and Qualifier es are an official part of the men's tennis calendar, thanks to an unprecedented strategic alliance between the ITF and the ATP. We will also collaborate on the Davis Cup's governance and evolu on, in a combined effort to maximise its success as the elite men's tennis team compe on. In January 2023, the ITF's five-year partnership with Kosmos Tennis for the Davis Cup ended. The ITF con nues to evolve the compe on in response to feedback from players and all stakeholders, balancing tradi on and innova on as we work to unlock the growth poten al of the men's World Cup of Tennis. 2022 Davis Cup participation 145 A RECORD na ons competed 635 men played A RECORD 809 selected for teams …OF A RECORD NATIONS ENTERED FOR 2023 155

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