The 1921 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the 16th edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup

Davis Cup

The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...

. In the playoff finals, newcomers Japan surprised Australia

Australia Davis Cup team

The Australian Davis Cup team is the second most successful team ever to compete in the Davis Cup, winning the coveted title on 23 separate occasions, second behind the United States with 32....

 , 4-1, but would fall to defending champions the United States in the challenge round. The final was played at the West Side Tennis Club

West Side Tennis Club

The West Side Tennis Club is a private tennis club located in Forest Hills, a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. It is currently an oasis within the City with 38 courts in all four surfaces , a junior Olympic swimming pool and many other amenities.It is most notable for hosting...

 in New York City

New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 on 2–5 September.

Teams

The tournament saw a boom in entries, with a record 12 teams entering to challenge for the cup. Argentina

Argentina Davis Cup team

The Argentina Davis Cup team represents Argentina in Davis Cup tennis competition and is governed by the Asociación Argentina de Tenis.Argentina has never won the tournament, but have finished as the runner-up three times, in 1981, 2006 and 2008....

, Czechoslovakia

Czech Republic Davis Cup team

The Czech Republic Davis Cup team represents the Czech Republic in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Czech Tennis Federation. The Czech team was started in 1993, following the Czechoslovakian break-up....

, Denmark

Denmark Davis Cup team

The Denmark Davis Cup team represents Denmark in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Danish Tennis Association.Denmark currently compete in the Europe/Africa Zone of Group II. They competed in the World Group from 1988 to 1989 and again from 1993 to 1996...

, India

India Davis Cup team

The India Davis Cup team represents India in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the All India Tennis Association.India finished as runners-up 3 times . In 1974, the final was scratched and South Africa were awarded the Davis Cup after India refused to particapate in the final due to...

, Japan

Japan Davis Cup team

The Japan Davis Cup team represents Japan in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Japan Tennis Association.Japan finished as runners-up in 1921, their first year of competition. They currently compete in the Asia/Oceania Zone of Group I...

, the Philippines

Philippines Davis Cup team

The Philippines Davis Cup team represents the Philippines in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Philippine Tennis Association.The Philippines currently compete in the Asia/Oceania Zone of Group I...

, and Spain

Spain Davis Cup team

The Spain Davis Cup team represents Spain in the Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Real Federación Española de Tenis, presided over by José Luis Escañuela....

 all participated in their first tournament.

Draw

First Round

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Challenge round