Following a lengthy qualification process, the Davis Cup Finals – often referred to as the Davis Cup Final 8 – will determine this season’s tennis world champions. The climactic stage of the sport’s most prestigious international tournament commences on Tuesday, November 18th, with the final taking place five days later on Sunday, November 23rd.
Having been staged in Malaga between 2022 and 2024, Bologna’s impressive Unipol Arena will host the next three editions of the series. As is the case in most Davis Cup meetings, the finals will be played indoors on a hard court surface.
After recently becoming just the fifth country in history to win the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup in the same year, Italy may be on course to retain both pieces of silverware this term. The Italian women’s team once again proved itself to be the best in the world for a second consecutive season, when Jasmine Paolini, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Lucia Bronzetti, and Sara Errani overcame a star-studded American outfit in Shanghai.
A year on from defeating the Netherlands in the 2024 Davis Cup final, Italy’s men now have an opportunity to defend their crown on home soil.
The Davis Cup Finals 8 will be televised live on the BBC, with online viewers able to stream the action via BBC iPlayer. Those with a Tennis Channel subscription can watch every minute of this season’s finals on the service’s dedicated app, which can be accessed through SMART TVs, Rakuten TV, and the Free Live Sports (previously Sports Tribal) network. Please note that the Tennis Channel website no longer broadcasts coverage to subscribers located in the United Kingdom.
Qualifying format: Past and present
Over 150 countries are routinely represented in the Davis Cup, so establishing an efficient system to whittle these teams down to eight finalists is a challenging task.
The old model
In previous decades, the tournament consisted of several regional zones feeding into a top-tier World Group. At the beginning of each year, the previous season’s best-performing regional zone teams and worst-performing World Group teams would face one another in a set of play-off ties, resulting in some earning promotion and others being relegated. The remaining sides would stay in the same division alongside the play-off winners/losers, ready for the new campaign. Although the exact same methodology has been used in more recent editions of the tournament, the increased number of participants meant that an additional World Group - the lower-ranked World Group II - was integrated.
Improvements made
The competition’s structure changed significantly in 2019, which has helped to ease the length and intensity of its fixture schedule.
Previously, teams would play either at home or away throughout the entire season, with no neutral venues being used. Each contest consisted of five matches, all of which followed the best-of-five sets framework. Now, only a preliminary qualifying round would see teams travel to face an opponent on their home soil, while the quantity of matches and number of potential sets played were both reduced from five to three. Moreover, the winner of a week-long end-of-season series in a pre-determined location would be declared the overall champion. These ‘finals’ consisted of a round-robin group stage and subsequent knockout rounds, with the number of participants ranging from 18 to 20 depending on the year.
As this approach saturates the cherished tradition of players competing in front of their home supporters, the atmosphere at crucial Davis Cup clashes is perhaps not as electric as we’ve seen in previous years. However, the presence of a decisive mini event also creates an exciting spectacle, with the competition’s latter stages playing out at one venue within a single week rather than over an extended timeframe in multiple countries.
Current version
The structure has changed slightly again this year, with a second-round qualifying section replacing the recently established group stage. This enables the definitive part of the competition to remain as streamlined as possible, so as to reduce the volume of matches being played. With a bustling ATP Tour calendar already putting considerable strain on competing players, this move has been welcomed by some - if not all - stakeholders in the game. A dedicated qualifying spot for those staging the finals has also been introduced, although this is only awarded if the hosts are positioned in the top 50 places of the ITF Davis Cup Nations Rankings, or possess a player who features in the top ten of the ATP Rankings.
Although the finals are always scheduled for November, the competition commences in late January with the aforementioned World Group play-offs and first qualifying round. Those who did not progress to the second qualifying round competed in World Group I, while the losers of the two sets of play-offs were either demoted to World Group II or absorbed into the highest level of their appropriate regional zone.
This year’s first qualifying round featured 26 teams, the 14 ranked third to 16th in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals alongside last season’s 12 World Group I winners. The 13 successful teams joined the Netherlands in the second qualifying round, before competing for a place in this week’s finals. The reigning champions now receive a bye to the second set of qualifiers, while the previous season's beaten finalists enter the first qualifying round.
However, as 2024 winners, Italy automatically secured safe passage through to the finals as hosts, and the Netherlands were able to skip the first qualifying round. Despite profiting from this loophole, the Netherlands won’t feature at the Unipol Arena after being eliminated by Argentina.
The following seven teams advanced to the finals after recording victories in the second qualifying round: Austria, France, Belgium, Spain, Czechia, Argentina, and Germany.
Schedule
The full draw for the 2025 Davis Cup Final 8 was conducted in September, so each team is already aware of their quarter-final and potential semi-final opponents. The four teams possessing the highest ITF ranking were seeded and subsequently kept apart in the quarter-finals, with the first and third seeds potentially meeting in one semi-final and the second and fourth seeds most likely to contest the other.
The confirmed quarter-final ties are as follows (seedings in brackets):
QF1: Italy (1) vs. Austria
QF2: France (3) vs. Belgium
QF3: Spain vs. Czechia (4)
QF4: Argentina vs. Germany (2)
The winner of the clash between Italy and Austria will take on either France or Belgium in the first semi-final, while two of Spain, Czechia, Argentina, and Germany are poised to face one another in the second.
Teams
All participants announced their confirmed squads in late October, although there have been subsequent changes due to injuries. Each team is led by a non-playing captain, who heads up the squad selection process, decides the line-up for each tie, and delivers coaching and tactical advice. Captains must choose either four or five players in order to meet the demands of each fixture. These players do not need to have previously featured in the Davis Cup this season, although most squads remain fairly consistent throughout the entire competition.
Jannik Sinners' controversial decision to exclude himself from Italy’s squad has attracted plenty of criticism, with the current world number two choosing to focus his attentions on preparing for his upcoming Australian Open title defence in Melbourne. The hosts are also without the talented Lorenzo Musetti following his late withdrawal, but do still have 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in their ranks.
Meanwhile, reigning French and US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz is set to compete despite not participating in either of Spain’s qualifying matches. Following an underwhelming 2025 campaign, Alexander Zverev carries German hopes in Bologna. French star Arthur Rinderknech will hope to bounce back in Bolonga after remarkably losing to his cousin Valentin Vacherot in last month’s Shanghai Masters showpiece, while Francisco Cerundolo – who caught the eye during his impressive run to this season’s Madrid Open semi-finals – is likely to be Argentina’s talisman.
Dark horses Czechia boast the talents of Jiri Lehecka and Jakub Mensik, who have both recently earned a top 20 ranking following positive campaigns on the ATP Tour. Although neither Belgium nor Austria are expected to progress beyond the quarter-final stage, both teams are equipped with several elite-level players.
There could be further changes to each roster ahead of the team nomination deadline, but the current Davis Cup Finals 8 squads are as follows:
Italy
Players: Lorenzo Sonego, Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Berrettini, Andrea Vavassori, Simone Bolelli
Captain: Filippo Volandri
N.B. Following confirmation of Lorenzo Musetti’s absence, Volandri drafted Lorenzo Sonego into the Italian squad.
Austria
Players: Filip Misolic, Jurij Rodionov, Lukas Neumayer, Lucas Miedler, Alexander Erler
Captain: Jurgen Melzer
France
Players: Arthur Rinderknech, Benjamin Bonzi, Pierre-Hugues Herbert
Captain: Paul-Henri Mathieu
N.B. Although part of France’s original roster, Ugo Humbert was forced to withdraw following the recurrence of a back issue. Mathieu has since confirmed that two further players will be added to his squad.
Belgium
Players: Zizou Bergs, Raphaël Collignon, Alexander Blockx, Sander Gille, Joran Vliegen
Captain: Steve Darcis
Spain
Players: Carlos Alcaraz, Jaume Munar, Pedro Martinez, Pablo Carreno Busta, Marcel Granollers
Captain: David Ferrer
Czechia
Players: Jiri Lehecka, Jakub Mensik, Tomas Machac, Vít Kopriva, Adam Pavlasek
Captain: Tomas Berdych
Argentina
Players: Francisco Cerundolo, Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Francisco Comesana, Horacio Zeballos, Andres Molteni
Captain: Javier Frana
Germany
Players: Alexander Zverev, Jan-Lennard Struff, Yannick Hanfmann, Kevin Krawietz, Tim Putz
Captain: Michael Kohlmann
Route to qualification
As we’ve already seen, seven of the eight finalists have already navigated two qualifying rounds. The overwhelming majority were seeded in the first round thanks to their performances in last season’s Davis Cup Finals, while Austria are the only team to qualify that competed in the 2024 World Group I section.
Here’s an overview of each team’s journey to Bologna...
Austria
After comfortably dispatching Turkiye on home soil in last year’s World Group I meeting, Austria cruised past Finland at the Multiversum Schwechat to set up a second qualifying round encounter with Hungary. Jurij Rodionov defeated Fabian Marozsan in the opening match of the contest, before Lukas Neumayer got the better of 2018 Geneva Open champion Marton Fucsovics to double the visitors’ advantage in Debrecen.
However, the Hungarians pulled a point back after Lucas Miedler and Alexander Erler succumbed to Fabian Marozsan and Zsombor Piros, with the Austrian contingent losing tie-breaks in both sets. Piros’ victory over Neumayer levelled up the contest, but Rodionov held his nerve against Fucsovics in the decider to see Jurgen Melzer’s side through.
Belgium
Belgium made light work of Chile in the first qualifying round, ensuring their opponents remained in World Group I following a 3-1 triumph in Limburg. It was then on to Sydney to face an intimidating Australian outfit, who had reached the semi-final stage of the Davis Cup less than ten months prior. Raphael Collignon set the tone by beating world number seven Alex de Minaur, before recent Shanghai Masters quarter-finalist Zizou Bergs snuck past Jordan Thompson to put Belgium in the driving seat at the Ken Rosewall Arena.
The hosts kept themselves alive in the tie when Thompson joined forces with Rinky Hijikata to squeeze past Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen in an epic three-set duel, before a determined de Minaur made it 2-2 with a routine victory over Bergs. Nevertheless, the Belgians booked their place in Bologna thanks to another heroic performance from Raphael Collignon, who registered his second triumph in 48 hours when he defeated Aleksandar Vukic.
France
Despite not making it past last season’s Davis Cup group stage, France entered qualifying as the seventh seeds due to their lofty ITF ranking. Paul-Henri Mathieu’s men swept Brazil aside at the beginning of the year, only dropping one set to the South Americans in an emphatic 4-0 triumph.
Croatia proved a more challenging test in the next round, but France remained in control throughout a one-sided meeting in Osijek. Corentin Moutet gave Les Bleus an early lead on a clay surface at the Gradski vrt Hall, before Arthur Rinderknech easily dismissed the challenge of experienced campaigner Marin Cilic. However, former Wimbledon doubles champions Nikola Mektić and Mate Pavic were too strong for the French pairing of Benjamin Bonzi and Pierre-Hugues Herbert, leaving Moutet with an opportunity to seal the tie game four. The 26-year-old left-hander duly delivered, inflicting Cilic’s second loss of the weekend to secure France’s place in the finals.
Spain
Having been unable to call upon their prized asset during the qualifying rounds, Spain’s pathway to this season’s finals was perhaps a little more arduous than originally foreseen. A relatively straightforward triumph over Switzerland sent the Spaniards on their way, but the absence of Carlos Alcaraz took its toll against Denmark.
Pablo Carreno Busta and Jaume Munar lost to Holger Rune and Elmer Moller, respectively, as the visitors took a surprise 2-0 lead in Marbella, meaning Spain had to win all three remaining matches to stay in the Davis Cup. Hopes were reignited when Pedro Martinez and Munar beat August Holmgren and Johannes Ingildsen, having bravely come back from a set down to overcome the Danish duo. In another inspirational show of resilience, Martinez returned to edge out two-time French Open quarter-finalist Rune in a third-set tie-breaker. Busta then avenged his doubles disappointment to complete the job, batting down Moller in straight sets.
Czechia
After putting South Korea to the sword in emphatic fashion at Ostrava’s Winter Stadium, three-time Davis Cup winners Czechia arrived in Delray Beach for their second round clash with the United States in confident mood.
Despite being clear favourites heading into the tie, the Americans were left reeling thanks to a masterclass from Jiří Lehečka. The 2025 Queens Club finalist convincingly defeated Frances Tiafoe on day one, but his hard-fought win over Taylor Fritz in match four felt like a real turning point in the tie. This is partially due to the hosts claiming both available points in between Lehečka’s two triumphs, the first of which came after Fritz navigated past Jakub Menšík. A combined effort from Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek - a US citizen of Czech heritage - produced a victory over Tomas Machac and a busy Mensik, who would also feature in Saturday’s final fixture.
Having conquered the legendary Novak Djokovic in the 2025 Miami Open final on his last visit to the Sunshine State, Menšík would celebrate in Florida for the second time in six months after seeing off two-time US Open semi-finalist Tiafoe.
Argentina
Many believe Argentina have a real chance of causing an upset in Bologna, after they landed two eye-catching away triumphs during qualification. After eliminating a stubborn Norwegian outfit in a contest that went right down to the wire, the South Americans embarrassed 2024 Davis Cup runners-up the Netherlands in their own backyard.
Neither Tomas Martin Etcheverry nor Francisco Cerúndolo dropped a set on the opening day, enabling the visitors to race into a 2-0 lead in Groningen. Having clinched the US Open title with his regular doubles partner Marcel Granollers exactly seven days earlier, Horacio Zeballos conspired with Andres Molteni to send Sander Arends and Botic van de Zandschulp packing in straight sets. The Dutch claimed a consolation point thanks to Jesper de Jong’s win over Francisco Comesaña, but it was to be Argentina’s weekend at the MartiniPlaza as the underdogs strolled through to the finals.
Germany
Having been eliminated at the semi-final stage in two of the last four editions of the competition, Germany appear determined to land their first Davis Cup title in over three decades. Alexander Zverev didn’t feature at all during qualifying, but Michael Kohlmann’s outfit impressively handled two tricky ties without the presence of their star man.
A potential banana skin was avoided in the first round, as the Germans outclassed ‘hosts’ Israel in the Lithuanian capital. The victory in Vilnius preceded a whitewash in Tokyo, with Japan unable to cope with the visitors’ superior quality. Having shocked Great Britain earlier in the year, the Japanese felt as if they had a reasonable chance of making a rare appearance in the final eight of the competition. However, the tie quickly got away from them. After Jan-Lennard Struff was forced to dig deep to beat last year’s Atlanta Open winner Yoshihito Nishioka, Germany racked up two further points with ease as Yannick Hanfmann and the lethal Kevin Krawietz/Tim Pütz double act sailed past their respective opponents. It was then left to gifted teenager Justin Engel to deliver the killer blow, who eventually overcame Rei Sakamoto following a gruelling 17-game third set.