Australia Davis Cup team
Encyclopedia
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.
Australia also participated in winning the Davis Cup five times with New Zealand under the alias 'Australasia' (1905–1914).
Australia also participated in six finals with New Zealand under the alias 'Australasia' winning on five occasions in 1907, 1908, 1909, 1911 and 1914.
In six Davis Cup Finals in which Australia and New Zealand competed together under the alias 'Australasia' there were 27 rubbers played, with Australian players winning 12.5 rubbers and losing 4.5 and New Zealand players winning 7.5 rubbers and losing 2.5 (according to information supplied in Wikipedia).
Australia and New Zealand have always been two separate countries, however the two countries did compete together under the alias 'Australasia' in a number of sports including Davis Cup in the first couple of decades of the 20th century.
The only decades that the team didn't win the Davis Cup was the 20's, 40's and the current decade. Australia were runner's up 8 times during the 20's and 40's.
and 2003
Australia got into the Final Round four times in 5 years but could only convert on these opportunities twice in 1999 and 2003.
In 2003 after an inspirational semifinal against Switzerland
where Lleyton Hewitt
came back from two sets to love down against Roger Federer
to win in five sets in the fourth rubber, to clinch a Davis Cup Final berth. In the Final, Australia defeated Spain
3–1 in front of a home crowd in Melbourne Park
in which Mark Philippoussis
defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero
in five sets just months after Ferrero had reached the world number one ranking spot.
After Australia's 2003 win over Spain, Australia came into the 2004 Davis Cup
with high hopes but the dreams were crushed when Sweden
managed to beat Australia at home 4–1. Australia then had to play a world group qualifying match against Morocco
which they won 4–1. Australia solidified their spot in the 2005 Davis Cup world group and breezed through their first round against Austria
5–0. Argentina
was their next round opponents and Australia started off well with Lleyton Hewitt playing Guillermo Coria
and in a shocking display of sportsmanship Hewitt won in four sets in front of a home crowd in Sydney. But Australia could not hold the lead and ended up losing the rest of their matches.
In 2006, Australia managed to defeat Switzerland 3–2 in the fifth rubber in the first round. Australia's quarterfinal was against Belarus
in Melbourne
and with Australia having Lleyton Hewitt back in the team, with Peter Luczak omitted. Australia celebrated after the second day after winning all matches and securing a semifinal spot, the first team to do so. Australia then went on to win the reverse singles making statement with a 5–0 victory over Belarus. Australia suffered a huge 5–0 loss to Argentina
in the semifinals.
The 2007 Davis Cup
could not have been any worse for Australia playing away in Belgium in their first tie against Belgium
, losing their first two rubber Australia faced do or die in the doubles. Lleyton Hewitt was able to win both the doubles and his fourth rubber singles matches to bring the tie back to two all. Chris Guccione then lost in straight sets to put Australia in the world group playoffs. Australia drew Serbia
in Serbia for their world group playoff and Serbia, having two of their singles players in the top 100, were clear favorites. After day one the tie was drawn at one all Australia lost their doubles match in four sets and looked in a bad position. Things only got worse for Australia as their top player Lleyton Hewitt came down with sickness and could not compete in the final day. Australia eventually ended up losing 4–1 overall, seeing Serbia into the world group for the first time; the result also saw Australia relegated for only the second time.
The 2008 Davis Cup
saw Australia playing away for the fourth consecutive time, playing in Chinese Taipei. Australia beat Chinese Taipei
4–1 and were awarded a home 2nd Round rubber for the first time in almost two years. Australian easily accounted for Thailand
winning the rubber 5–0. Australia then advanced to the world group playoffs where they were drawn to play away against Chile
. Chile raced out to a 2–0 lead before Chris Guccione and Carsten Ball
were able to bring the tie back to 2–1 after winning the doubles match. However in the 4th match Fernando González
defeated Guccione in the reverse singles match to secure the tie. Australia managed to win the remaining dead rubber, with Chile winning the tie 3–2.
The 2009 Davis Cup
saw a rematch of last year's second round match against Thailand. This time, Australia had to travel away and won 3–2, only securing the tie in the final rubber. For the second round match-up, Australia was drawn to play away against India
. However due to security concerns in Chennai, Australia refused to play the tie in India, requesting the tie be played in a neutral country. After this request was denied, Australia withdrew from playing, so India advanced to the World Group Playoffs via forfeit.
The 2010 Davis Cup
was a breeze for Australia in the Asia/Oceania playoffs, easily advancing to the World Group Playoffs. 5–0 defeats of Chinese Taipei in the first round in Melbourne and Japan
in the second round in Brisbane led to Australia being drawn to play a home tie against Belgium
. Played in hot and humid conditions in North Cairns
, Australia led 2–1 after the doubles match. Lleyton Hewitt's win in the doubles match gave him the most wins by an Australian in Davis Cup history. After a five and a half hour rain delay, the reverse singles finally got under way, before being suspended midway through the first set. With Hewitt pulling out of his reverse singles match, Peter Luczak and Carsten Ball were unable to hold onto Australia's lead, going down to Belgium 3–2.
For the fourth year in a row, Australia started its 2011 Davis Cup
campaign in the Asia/Oceania playoffs. After receiving a first round bye, Australia played away to China
in the second round, whom they defeated 3–1. Australia then advanced to the 2011 Davis Cup World Group Play-offs
where they received a home tie against seeded Switzerland
. Played on grass at the Royal Sydney Golf Club in Sydney, Australia, Australia led 2–1 after victories by Tomic over Wawrinka in the singles and by Hewitt and Guccione in the doubles. However in the 1st reverse singles Tomic lost to Federer, tying the play-off at 2–2. In the decisive rubber Hewitt trailed 5–3 in the 5th set against Stanislas Wawrinka
when play was suspended due to bad light. When play resumed the following morning, Hewitt was unable to hold serve as Switzerland won the tie 3–2. With Youngers like Tomic (inside top 40) and Ebden (inside top 100), the future of the Australian Davis Cup team is looking bright.
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...
, winning the coveted title on 23 separate occasions, second behind the United States with 32.
Australia also participated in winning the Davis Cup five times with New Zealand under the alias 'Australasia' (1905–1914).
The beginning
Australia won the Davis Cup in 1919 and has since played in 41 Davis Cup finals (including 1919) as of 2008, winning on 23 occasions.Australia also participated in six finals with New Zealand under the alias 'Australasia' winning on five occasions in 1907, 1908, 1909, 1911 and 1914.
In six Davis Cup Finals in which Australia and New Zealand competed together under the alias 'Australasia' there were 27 rubbers played, with Australian players winning 12.5 rubbers and losing 4.5 and New Zealand players winning 7.5 rubbers and losing 2.5 (according to information supplied in Wikipedia).
Australia and New Zealand have always been two separate countries, however the two countries did compete together under the alias 'Australasia' in a number of sports including Davis Cup in the first couple of decades of the 20th century.
Dominance
From the era of 1937 to 1973 the only teams to win the Davis Cup were Australia and USA, in which 35 times were between one another. Australia won the Davis Cup title 16 times between these years in 1939, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1973.The only decades that the team didn't win the Davis Cup was the 20's, 40's and the current decade. Australia were runner's up 8 times during the 20's and 40's.
Present
After the 1973 victory Australia would go on to win the title another five times; between 19991999 Davis Cup
The 1999 Davis Cup was the 88th edition of the most important tournament between nations in men's tennis. A total of 128 nations participated in the tournament. In the final, Australia defeated France at the Acropolis Exhibition Hall in Nice, France, on 3–5 December, giving Australia their 22nd...
and 2003
2003 Davis Cup
The 2003 Davis Cup was the 92nd edition of the most important tournament between nations in men's tennis. A total of 135 nations participated in the tournament...
Australia got into the Final Round four times in 5 years but could only convert on these opportunities twice in 1999 and 2003.
In 2003 after an inspirational semifinal against Switzerland
Switzerland Davis Cup team
The Switzerland Davis Cup team represents Switzerland in the Davis Cup tennis competition and is governed by Swiss Tennis.In 2007, Switzerland competed in the World Group for the 13th consecutive year, the third longest ongoing streak, before being relegated after losing 3–2 against the Czech...
where Lleyton Hewitt
Lleyton Hewitt
Lleyton Glynn Hewitt born 24 February 1981) is an Australian professional tennis player and former world no. 1.In 2000, Hewitt had won ATP titles on all three major surfaces and reached one final on carpet. By 2001, he became the youngest male ever to be ranked no. 1 at the age of 20...
came back from two sets to love down against Roger Federer
Roger Federer
Roger Federer is a Swiss professional tennis player who held the ATP no. 1 position for a record 237 consecutive weeks, and 285 weeks overall. As of 28 November 2011, he is ranked World No. 3 by the Association of Tennis Professionals . Federer has won a men's record 16 Grand Slam singles titles...
to win in five sets in the fourth rubber, to clinch a Davis Cup Final berth. In the Final, Australia defeated 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....
3–1 in front of a home crowd in Melbourne Park
Melbourne Park
Melbourne Park is a sports venue in the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Precinct in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Since 1988, Melbourne Park has been home of the Australian Open in tennis, which is played annually in January...
in which Mark Philippoussis
Mark Philippoussis
Mark Anthony Philippoussis is an Australian tennis player. He turned professional in 1994. His father is Greek, while his mother is of Italian ancestry....
defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero
Juan Carlos Ferrero
Juan Carlos Ferrero Donat is a professional tennis player, and a former world no. 1 player, from Spain. He captured the men's singles title at the 2003 French Open, and in September of that year, he became the 21st player to hold the world no. 1 ranking. He was also the runner-up at the 2002...
in five sets just months after Ferrero had reached the world number one ranking spot.
After Australia's 2003 win over Spain, Australia came into the 2004 Davis Cup
2004 Davis Cup
The 2004 Davis Cup was the 93rd edition of the most important tournament between nations in men's tennis. A total of 131 nations participated in the tournament...
with high hopes but the dreams were crushed when Sweden
Sweden Davis Cup team
The Sweden Davis Cup team represents Sweden in Davis Cup tennis competition and is governed by the Svenska Tennisförbundet.Sweden is the 5th most successful nation, winning the title 7 times...
managed to beat Australia at home 4–1. Australia then had to play a world group qualifying match against Morocco
Morocco Davis Cup team
The Morocco Davis Cup team represents Morocco in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Royal Moroccan Tennis Federation.-History:...
which they won 4–1. Australia solidified their spot in the 2005 Davis Cup world group and breezed through their first round against Austria
Austria Davis Cup team
The Austria Davis Cup team represents Austria in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by Tennis Austria.In 2010 Austria was re-promoted to the World Group after being relegated to the Europa/Africa Zone Group I only one year earlier....
5–0. 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....
was their next round opponents and Australia started off well with Lleyton Hewitt playing Guillermo Coria
Guillermo Coria
Guillermo Sebastián Coria , nicknames include El Mago , is a retired professional tennis player from Argentina who was runner-up in the 2004 French Open...
and in a shocking display of sportsmanship Hewitt won in four sets in front of a home crowd in Sydney. But Australia could not hold the lead and ended up losing the rest of their matches.
In 2006, Australia managed to defeat Switzerland 3–2 in the fifth rubber in the first round. Australia's quarterfinal was against Belarus
Belarus Davis Cup team
The Belarus Davis Cup team represents Belarus in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Belarus Tennis Association.In 2007, Belarus competed in the World Group for the 4th successive year. Until then it was the only team that never relegated from the World Group...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
and with Australia having Lleyton Hewitt back in the team, with Peter Luczak omitted. Australia celebrated after the second day after winning all matches and securing a semifinal spot, the first team to do so. Australia then went on to win the reverse singles making statement with a 5–0 victory over Belarus. Australia suffered a huge 5–0 loss to 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....
in the semifinals.
The 2007 Davis Cup
2007 Davis Cup
The 2007 Davis Cup was the 96th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. Sixteen teams participated in the World Group and 123 took part in different regional groups...
could not have been any worse for Australia playing away in Belgium in their first tie against Belgium
Belgium Davis Cup team
The Belgium Davis Cup team represents Belgium in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Royal Belgian Tennis Federation.Belgium finished as runner-up in 1904.Belgium returned to the World Group in 2007 after 3 years absence.-Current team:...
, losing their first two rubber Australia faced do or die in the doubles. Lleyton Hewitt was able to win both the doubles and his fourth rubber singles matches to bring the tie back to two all. Chris Guccione then lost in straight sets to put Australia in the world group playoffs. Australia drew Serbia
Serbia Davis Cup team
The Serbian Davis Cup team represents Serbia in the Davis Cup tennis competition. The team started playing in 2007, following the split of Serbia and Montenegro.Serbia is the current winner of the Davis Cup....
in Serbia for their world group playoff and Serbia, having two of their singles players in the top 100, were clear favorites. After day one the tie was drawn at one all Australia lost their doubles match in four sets and looked in a bad position. Things only got worse for Australia as their top player Lleyton Hewitt came down with sickness and could not compete in the final day. Australia eventually ended up losing 4–1 overall, seeing Serbia into the world group for the first time; the result also saw Australia relegated for only the second time.
The 2008 Davis Cup
2008 Davis Cup
The 2008 Davis Cup was the 97th edition of the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. Sixteen teams participated in the World Group and more than one hundred others took part in different regional groups. The first matches were played on February 8–10...
saw Australia playing away for the fourth consecutive time, playing in Chinese Taipei. Australia beat Chinese Taipei
Chinese Taipei Davis Cup team
The Chinese Taipei Davis Cup team represents Taiwan in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Chinese Taipei Tennis Association.Chinese Taipei currently compete in the Asia/Oceania Zone of Group I. They have never competed in the World Group....
4–1 and were awarded a home 2nd Round rubber for the first time in almost two years. Australian easily accounted for Thailand
Thailand Davis Cup team
The Thailand Davis Cup team represents Thailand in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand.Thailand currently compete in the Asia/Oceania Zone of Group II...
winning the rubber 5–0. Australia then advanced to the world group playoffs where they were drawn to play away against Chile
Chile Davis Cup team
The Chile Davis Cup Team represents Chile in Davis Cup tennis tournament and is governed by Chile Tennis Federation. The team is currently captained by former Chilean tennis player Hans Gildemeister.-History:...
. Chile raced out to a 2–0 lead before Chris Guccione and Carsten Ball
Carsten Ball
Carsten Thomas Ball is a professional Australian tennis player. Although born and based in the U.S., Carsten has continued to compete as an Australian player.-Tennis career:...
were able to bring the tie back to 2–1 after winning the doubles match. However in the 4th match Fernando González
Fernando González
----Fernando Francisco González Ciuffardi is a professional tennis player from Chile. He is known for having one of the hardest forehands on the circuit. In Spanish he is called El Bombardero de La Reina and Mano de Piedra...
defeated Guccione in the reverse singles match to secure the tie. Australia managed to win the remaining dead rubber, with Chile winning the tie 3–2.
The 2009 Davis Cup
2009 Davis Cup
The 2009 Davis Cup was the 98th edition of the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. Sixteen teams participated in the World Group and more than one hundred other took part in different regional groups. Spain won their fourth title...
saw a rematch of last year's second round match against Thailand. This time, Australia had to travel away and won 3–2, only securing the tie in the final rubber. For the second round match-up, Australia was drawn to play away against 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...
. However due to security concerns in Chennai, Australia refused to play the tie in India, requesting the tie be played in a neutral country. After this request was denied, Australia withdrew from playing, so India advanced to the World Group Playoffs via forfeit.
The 2010 Davis Cup
2010 Davis Cup
The 2010 Davis Cup was the 99th edition of the most important annual tournament among national teams in men's tennis worldwide...
was a breeze for Australia in the Asia/Oceania playoffs, easily advancing to the World Group Playoffs. 5–0 defeats of Chinese Taipei in the first round in Melbourne and 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...
in the second round in Brisbane led to Australia being drawn to play a home tie against Belgium
Belgium Davis Cup team
The Belgium Davis Cup team represents Belgium in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Royal Belgian Tennis Federation.Belgium finished as runner-up in 1904.Belgium returned to the World Group in 2007 after 3 years absence.-Current team:...
. Played in hot and humid conditions in North Cairns
Cairns, Queensland
Cairns is a regional city in Far North Queensland, Australia, founded 1876. The city was named after William Wellington Cairns, then-current Governor of Queensland. It was formed to serve miners heading for the Hodgkinson River goldfield, but experienced a decline when an easier route was...
, Australia led 2–1 after the doubles match. Lleyton Hewitt's win in the doubles match gave him the most wins by an Australian in Davis Cup history. After a five and a half hour rain delay, the reverse singles finally got under way, before being suspended midway through the first set. With Hewitt pulling out of his reverse singles match, Peter Luczak and Carsten Ball were unable to hold onto Australia's lead, going down to Belgium 3–2.
For the fourth year in a row, Australia started its 2011 Davis Cup
2011 Davis Cup
The 2011 Davis Cup is the 100th edition of a tournament between national teams in men's tennis.The draw took place in September 2010 in Brussels, Belgium.-World Group:...
campaign in the Asia/Oceania playoffs. After receiving a first round bye, Australia played away to China
China Davis Cup team
The China Davis Cup team represents the People's Republic of China in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Chinese Tennis Association.China currently compete in the Asia/Oceania Zone of Group I...
in the second round, whom they defeated 3–1. Australia then advanced to the 2011 Davis Cup World Group Play-offs
2011 Davis Cup World Group Play-offs
The 2011 Davis Cup World Group Play-offs, scheduled to be held from September 16–18, 2011, are the main play-offs of 2011 Davis Cup. Winners of the playoffs will advance to the 2012 World Group, and losers will play in their respective Zonal Regions I....
where they received a home tie against seeded Switzerland
Switzerland Davis Cup team
The Switzerland Davis Cup team represents Switzerland in the Davis Cup tennis competition and is governed by Swiss Tennis.In 2007, Switzerland competed in the World Group for the 13th consecutive year, the third longest ongoing streak, before being relegated after losing 3–2 against the Czech...
. Played on grass at the Royal Sydney Golf Club in Sydney, Australia, Australia led 2–1 after victories by Tomic over Wawrinka in the singles and by Hewitt and Guccione in the doubles. However in the 1st reverse singles Tomic lost to Federer, tying the play-off at 2–2. In the decisive rubber Hewitt trailed 5–3 in the 5th set against Stanislas Wawrinka
Stanislas Wawrinka
Stanislas Wawrinka is a Swiss professional tennis player. He also holds German citizenship as his father is German. His career ranking high is no. 9, achieved on 9 June 2008. He considers clay his best surface and his backhand his best shot...
when play was suspended due to bad light. When play resumed the following morning, Hewitt was unable to hold serve as Switzerland won the tie 3–2. With Youngers like Tomic (inside top 40) and Ebden (inside top 100), the future of the Australian Davis Cup team is looking bright.
Australia's historic Davis Cup rivalry with the United States of America
Australia and USA have played each other in the Davis Cup final on 29 different occasions. Having both teams dominate the competition for 36 years, Australia and USA had an intense rivalry in Davis Cup. In recent years the rivalry has waned, while the two teams have not played each other since 1999.Current team
- Lleyton HewittLleyton HewittLleyton Glynn Hewitt born 24 February 1981) is an Australian professional tennis player and former world no. 1.In 2000, Hewitt had won ATP titles on all three major surfaces and reached one final on carpet. By 2001, he became the youngest male ever to be ranked no. 1 at the age of 20...
- Chris GuccioneChris GuccioneChristopher "Chris" Luke Guccione , is an Australian professional tennis player from Greenvale, Victoria; his father is Italian and his mother is Australian....
- Carsten BallCarsten BallCarsten Thomas Ball is a professional Australian tennis player. Although born and based in the U.S., Carsten has continued to compete as an Australian player.-Tennis career:...
- Bernard TomicBernard TomicBernard Tomic is an Australian professional tennis player. As of 24 October 2011, Tomic is ranked the World No. 41, making him the highest ranked Australian male tennis player and the youngest player in the top 100...
- Matt Ebden
Trivia and records
- Along with the Australian Davis Cup Team winning the Davis Cup in 1999, Australia became the only country to win three of four team competitions in the same year. In 1999 Australia won the Davis CupDavis CupThe 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...
, World Team ChampionshipWorld Team CupThe World Team Cup is the international team championship of the Association of Tennis Professionals . The tournament has been contested annually since 1978 and is generally considered to be second most prestigious men's team competition in tennis after the Davis Cup.Every year, the eight nations...
and the Hopman CupHopman CupThe Hopman Cup is an annual international team tennis tournament held in Perth, Western Australia in early January each year, which plays mixed teams on a country by country basis...
. The only team competition Australia did not win in 1999 was the women's Fed CupFed CupFed Cup is the premier team competition in women's tennis, launched in 1963 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the International Tennis Federation...
. - Australia completed a rare feat in 1986 when they won both the Davis Cup and the Junior Davis Cup.
- Australia won both the junior Davis Cup and Fed CupJunior Davis Cup and Junior Fed CupJunior Davis Cup and Junior Fed Cup is the international team event in junior tennis.The senior's equivalent of the Junior Davis and Fed Cup is the Davis Cup and Fed Cup.- Junior Davis Cup :*1985: Australia*1986: Australia*1987: Australia...
in 2007.