Davis Cup news: ITF reveals who will replace Russia in the team tournament
As a result of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine with the help of Belarus, the International Tennis Federation imposed sanctions on their respective governing bodies including Russian and Belarussian players not being able to play under the flag or name of their countries.
The two nations have also been suspended from the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup team competitions.
The ITF announced this ban on March 1 but they have now revealed who will replace Russia in both of these tournaments now that there is a free space.
ITF Board confirms 2022 replacements for Russian and Belarusian teams
Read more ⬇️
— ITF (@ITFTennis) March 14, 2022
In the men’s Davis Cup Serbia, who were awarded a wildcard for the competition, will advance to the finals as a result of the ITF’s decision which will mean that another nation will receive a wildcard to be announced by the Davis Cup Finals Steering Committee in due course, but it will be one of the 12 countries who recently lost in the qualifiers.
Serbia will join the likes of Great Britain, who were also awarded a wildcard, Croatia, Australia, Germany and the USA, as well as nine other finalists who won their qualifiers at the start of this month.
This means that Russia won’t be able to defend their title from last year in the Davis Cup where they beat Croatia in the final, but the country also won’t be able to defend it’s title in the Billie Jean King Cup either.
Australia is the team that will be replacing Russia in women’s cup competition as they were the highest-ranked losing semi-finalist last year.
This has a knock-on effect though to the team who was due to play the Aussie’s in the qualifiers next month which was Slovakia, who will now receive a bye and go directly to this year’s finals.
Belgium find themselves in a similar situation as they were meant to play Belarus in the qualifiers in April but they too will progress directly to the 2022 finals.
The Davis Cup Finals is set to take place in September with the whole competition to be staged across five cities, while the Billie Jean King Cup Finals are due to be played in November with a host nation still yet to be announced.
Latest
-
WimbledonCoco Gauff believes Serena Williams is still dangerous despite year break
She could be a serious contender at SW19.
-
ATP TourAndy Murray rules out any possibility of playing in Saudi Arabia
He won’t be making the trip to the country anytime soon.
-
WimbledonRafael Nadal gives positive fitness update ahead of Wimbledon: ‘I can walk normally most of the days’
The Spaniard has been battling a chronic foot problem.
-
Tennis NewsExclusive: ‘Novak Djokovic has been treated badly,’ says John Lloyd, but ‘love will come out’ after he retires
John Lloyd feels people will start to “go crazy” for Novak Djokovic once he retires.
-
WimbledonAndy Murray says he ‘still has good tennis left’ and confident Ivan Lendl will help him to achieve his goals
Ivan Lendl has returned for a third spell coaching Murray.
-
WimbledonExclusive: Tim Henman’s prediction as Serena Williams returns at Wimbledon
Williams will have to wait until Tuesday to play her first singles match in 12 months after she limped out of Wimbledon last year.
-
WimbledonExclusive: Emma Raducanu set for Centre Court debut as John Lloyd makes bold Andy Murray prediction
Emma Raduanu will make her Wimbledon Centre Court debut against Alison Van Uytvanck.
-
NewsPetra Kvitova sounds Wimbledon warning with Eastbourne title win
Kvitova controlled a one-sided encounter from the outset en route to triumphing 6-3 6-2.
-
NewsSerena Williams on working vacation at All England Club
The 40-year-old is playing in her first singles tournament for a year.
-
News‘Fearless’ Jodie Burrage wants to show what she can do at Wimbledon
The British number five, who has a flat in SW19, will break into the world’s top 150 on Monday.