MADRID, 14 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has confirmed that Russia and Belarus will be replaced in the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup after their federations were suspended following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, backed by the Belarusian government.
Reigning title holders Russia will be eliminated from the Finals of the women’s team event and Australia, last season’s top-ranked semifinalist, advance to the Billie Jean King Cup final.
For its part, Slovakia, which will face Australia in the qualifiers, will also go directly to the final on April 15-16, as will Belgium, which was due to play Belarus.
In the Davis Cup, also won by Russia last year, Novak Djokovic’s Serbia will take their place in the Finals. The place of the Balkan team, which had already won its place in the event with an invitation, will be decided among the 12 losing countries in the ‘Playoff’: Romania, Finland, Slovakia, Hungary, Norway, Czech Republic, Austria, Ecuador, Colombia, Canada, Brazil and Japan.
The Davis Cup Finals group stage will take place in four cities in September before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place in a fifth city in November. Venues are yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, Belarus will not play the access ‘Playoffs’ of World Group I at the beginning of this month against Mexico, which will rest during that day.