Davis cup??? - sorry to the Russians

Posted by Lotg on November 30, 2003

In Reply to: Davis cup??? - sorry to the Russians posted by Anders on November 30, 2003

: : : Does anyone know the origins of the Davis Cup? I've been checking the net and it hasn't been very helpful. I thought it's origins were in the US, but a friend disagrees cos we Aussies have won it for so long (yeah Ok, unnecessary barb). Anyway, doesn't matter who's won it, I'd like to know where it started. So any info would be much appreciated.

: : Oh look, I know Australians aren't the only people to win the Davis Cup, so you Russians and and other people, don't need to get upset.

: Okay, Lappy G, so as to free you from talking to yourself :-) here's the Encyclopedia Britannica on the DC:
: trophy awarded to the winner of an annual international lawn-tennis tournament originally for amateur men's teams. The official name is the International Lawn Tennis Challenge Trophy. The trophy was donated in 1900 by American Dwight F. Davis for a competition between teams from the United States and Great Britain. Davis himself played on winning U.S. teams in the first two meetings (1900 and 1902). From the start, Davis Cup rounds consisted of four singles matches and one doubles match. In 1904 Belgium and France entered the competition. Since 1912 the tournament has been under the supervision of the International Lawn Tennis Federation and has grown to truly international proportions, with the world divided into several zones and zone champions playing each other for the right to enter the finals. From 1972 the previous winner, heretofore only playing in the finals, had to play through zone competition. From 1970 professional players registered with national associations were permitted to compete. Australia, the United States, Great Britain, and France have dominated the competition. In 1980 Czechoslovakia became the first Communist country to win the cup.

He he - thanks Anders, it was getting lonely chatting to myself.