Billie Jean King Cup Finals to Adopt New Eight-Team Format in 2025

This move reduces the current field from twelve teams and is part of the ITF's broader effort to align international team competitions in women's and men's tennis more closely.

As part of the transition, the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers will be held in April across seven group events, with each group featuring three teams. The competitions will unfold over three days in a round-robin format at a single location. The seven group winners will advance to the finals, joining a host nation.

From 2026 onwards, the ITF will reintroduce the home-and-away ties in the qualifiers, restoring a traditional element to the competition.

Similarly, the 2025 Davis Cup will also see a format change, with the September stage shifting to seven home-or-away ties played over two days, replacing the current six-day group events. The winners from these ties will secure their spots in the Final 8, scheduled for November, alongside a host nation.

ITF President David Haggerty expressed his optimism about the future of both competitions. "The changes to the format are meant to build on the recent successes of both events and bring them in line under the World Cup of Tennis framework," Haggerty said. "The eight-team Finals in the Billie Jean King Cup reflect the popular Final 8 format of the Davis Cup."

Haggerty also emphasized that the adjustments to the Davis Cup format aim to reduce the burden on players’ schedules, especially after the US Open, while maintaining the competitive spirit they appreciate.

Both the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup finals will take place in Malaga, Spain, in 2024 before the new formats come into play.

SportsLigue