Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/200163
Explanation of Fed Cup Abbreviations FC WG EA AM AO 1R 2R QF SF F Fed Cup World Group Europe/Africa Zone Americas Zone Asia/Oceania Zone First Round Second Round Quarterfinal Semifinal Final C QR PO PR REL R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 RR Consolation Event Qualifying Round Play-off Preliminary Round Relegation Play-off First Rubber Second Rubber Third Rubber Fourth Rubber Fifth Rubber Round-robin Years Played The number of years a nation has played takes into account 'active' participation in the competition, i.e. if a nation withdraws from the competition before its first tie, then this will not count as a year played in the Fed Cup. Notes on Format 1963 to 1994 'Federation Cup' played as a week-long event as a straight knockout and best of three format: 1969 Consolation event introduced for teams eliminated in opening rounds. 1976 Preliminary/Qualifying rounds introduced. 1992 Regional Qualifying events introduced. Successful nations joined leading nations from previous year's competition in final rounds. 1995 to 1999 'Fed Cup' played over three weekends per year on home-and-away basis. Eight-nation World Group (renamed World Group I in 1997) and eight-nation Group One (renamed World Group II in 1997) introduced in 1995 for leading nations, with ties played over best of five rubbers. Play-off ties to determine promotion and relegation between World Group and Group One and also between Group One and Zone events. All other nations compete in Regional Events, the strongest nations in each region in Zone Group I, the remainder in Zone Groups II or III with promotion and relegation between them. 2000 to 2004 16-nation World Group (13 nations in 2000). Semifinals and final played over one week at one venue. (In 2001, eight nations contested final rounds, played in two pools of four under best of three format.) Play-off ties to determine promotion and relegation between World Group and Zone events. 2005 onwards Reverts to 1995-99 format – World Group of eight nations, World Group II of eight nations. Remaining nations compete in Zone Groups I, II and III. 2013 Fed Cup Final Media Guide | Appendices 68