Why Do Players Care After the US Open?: Davis Cup/Fed Cup

Now that Some of you understand the idea of point defense.  Lets move on to something that is much easier to understand.  Fed Cup happens in early November and Davis Cup happens in later November.  

What is Davis/Fed CUP? 

The Fed Cup (women) and the Davis Cup (men) are played all year round. Whenever the tennis pros have a break from their super busy schedule, they gather up with their teammates and host or visit another country.  This tournament is not ATP or WTA sanctioned.

Tournament Format

There are 8 teams in each side of the draw (16 total). How they pick the 16 teams is like legalize.  It is very confusing. Something about a round robin format and zones like Soccer (Football) World Cup.  After they get the teams...it is a normal drive to the end of the tournament. A committee figures out where the ties are played.

What the heck...TIE?

When two countries play each other, they call it a "tie." This causes much confusion when listening to the commentators talk about past "ties."  In a Fed Cup tie, there are 5 matches, 4 singles and 1 doubles over 2 days (Saturday & Sunday). Saturday, 2 singles matches are played. Sunday the singles competitors are switched  and there is a doubles match. It is kind of like USTA Teams in the USA but with only one doubles match.

Every match is called a "RUBBER." So if USA wins 3 out of 5 Rubbers against Sweden, USA wins the Tie. If USA wins the first 3 right off the bat, the last two rubbers do not matter but they still are played. Those matches are known as "DEAD RUBBERS."

Why is Davis/Fed Cup Fun?

These cups are like a big party. Fans are allowed to make as much noise as they want in between points and are often VERY ROWDY. The players also really seem to enjoy playing for their respective countries. Sometimes the home team has crazy rules like unlimited shot tracker challenges.  Players that feed off atmosphere can become Fed Cup heroes. Nobodies can make a great name for themselves. A lot of people really love to play for their countries and are really motivated.  

Davis/Fed Cup is a great way to see professional tennis.  The camaraderie between teammates is very evident and it is a great way for the younger players to learn from the older ones.  It is no surprise that a team with success will soon have individual players that make their way on the tour.  These matches usually happen on the Tennis Channel so if you want to check it out you can go to a bar at a wierd time and get it on the screen.