ITF

The 2013 edition of Davis Cup by BNP Paribas saw Czech Republic successfully defend its title. This was the first time a nation had won the competition in consecutive years since Spain defeated Czech Republic in the 2009 final. The Final of the world's largest annual international team competition saw Tomas Berdych and Novak Djokovic both turn out for their countries, emphasising the national pride on display throughout the year. The Final was held in Belgrade in mid- November and the Serbian fans created the sort of atmosphere followers of the competition have come to expect – noisy and passionate. However, it proved not to be enough as Radek Stepanek became just the third player in history to win two Davis Cup Final live fifth singles rubbers, and the first man ever to do so on consecutive occasions, when he defeated Dusan Lajovic in the final rubber. Czech Republic defeated Switzerland, Kazakhstan and Argentina en route to the Final, while Serbia fought off Belgium, USA and Canada for a place in the final two. By claiming its third title – alongside 2012 and 1981, when they competed as Czechoslovakia – Czech Republic also moved to the top of the Davis Cup Nations Ranking, finishing as the year-end No.1 ranked team for the first time in its history. The Czechs displaced Spain, who had held the No.1 spot for four years. Elsewhere, it was an historic year for Canada, who reached its first Davis Cup World Group semifinal, and its first semifinal in the competition for 100 years. The Canadians defeated Spain in the first round, ending Spain's run of six consecutive quarterfinal appearances, before seeing off Italy in the quarterfinals. That win earned them an away trip to Serbia where it went down 3-2 in an exciting semifinal. It was also a big year for Great Britain and Australia who both earned places in the 2014 World Group with wins over Croatia and Poland respectively. One hundred and twenty-five nations contested Davis Cup in 2013, either in the World Group or as one of 11 groups in the three regional zones. A total of 536 players took part in the 2013 competition, including 20 of the world's Top 30 players. Off the court, over 535,000 spectators attended the 83 Davis Cup ties across 57 nations, including a total attendance of more than 46,000 across the three days of the Final in Belgrade. It was another successful year for Davis Cup on television, with the World Group Final shown by 42 broadcasters in 162 territories. Host broadcaster RTS Serbia received a peak audience share of 36 per cent on the final day in Belgrade. The Davis Cup websites in English and Spanish showed a 10 per cent growth in 2013, with 5.3 million visits, 2.8 million unique visitors and 26.6 million page views achieved by the end of the World Group Final. The competition's social media properties have seen a 100 per cent increase in users this year, with around 130,000 Twitter followers and 120,000 Facebook likes. At the Final, the 2013 ITF/International Tennis Hall of Fame Davis Cup Award of Excellence was presented to Nenad Zimonjic. Zimonjic has been part of the Serbian Davis Cup team for nearly two decades, with his first nomination in 1995. In 2007, he helped Serbia qualify for the World Group for the first time, partnering with Djokovic for a doubles victory in the play-offs against Australia. In 2010, Zimonjic was a member of the Serbian team that clinched its first-ever Davis Cup title, defeating France 3-2 in a home final in front of enthusiastic fans at the Belgrade Arena. The Davis Cup Commitment Award, inaugurated as part of the ITF's 2013 Centenary celebrations, awarded to recognise a player's dedication to representing their country, continued to be presented during 2013. In all, a total of 317 players have qualified to receive the award. BNP Paribas completed its 12th year of title sponsorship in 2013 and was joined by international sponsors HP (Official Technology Sponsor), Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Hugo Boss (Official Men's Fashion Clothing Sponsor), Adecco (Official HR Sponsor), NH Hotels (Official Hotel), and international partner Wilson Sporting Goods (Official Ball). 08 09 PROFESSIONAL TENNIS: DAVIS CUP BY BNP PARIBAS Over 535,000 spectators attended the 83 Davis Cup ties which took place across 57 nations. 125 536 Nations in 2013 Players took part DAVIS CUP BY BNP PARIBAS

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