Davis Cup draw announced, despite virus fears

The Davis Cup Finals will take place in Madrid between November 23-29, coronavirus permitting.

That was the defiant stance taken by the ITF today as they announced the draw for the second series of the new-style event in Spain.

With more than eight months before the start of the event at Caja Magica, organisers are hoping for a more stable situation after the coronavirus issue has cancelled all the action for the next six week, leaving hundreds of players without a job.

Two hours after the ATP and ITF announced the six-week break, the Davis Cup Finals draw took place in London, bringing 18 countries into six groups.

Last year’s champions Spain lead Group A, facing Russian and Ecuador in the battle for the place in the quarter-finals.

The finalists from last year, Canada, are the seeded team in Group B, and they face Kazakhstan and Sweden.

France, Great Britain and the Czech Republic are in Group C, with the Brits looking to go one better than their semi-final last November, when they lost to Spain 2-1.

Croatia, Australia and Hungary are in Group D, with the Croats and the Aussies the two key countries looking for a spot win the past eight.

The USA and Italy have been placed in Group E, along with Colombia, in what many consider the ‘group of death, with all three countries capable of going through.

In Group F ATP Cup champions Serbia face Germany and Austria, eager to chase another crown if world no. 1 Novak Djokovic decides to play.