'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIF/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAv/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAzKCf/8QAHRAAAgICAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQMCBAUhABESIv/aAAgBAQABPwDICpicZNj7t5r1KLI9LAEutbPschF1iEXoyt2CmD3CJXD5B2Bz/8QAFxEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACEf/aAAgBAgEBPwCppP/EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAIf/aAAgBAwEBPwBdv//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
India have been drawn against Togo in the Davis Cup World Group I Play-offs, set to be played between January 31 and February 2, 2025. The announcement follows the draw conducted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Monday, October 7, revealing the matchups for World Group I and II play-offs.
Fifty-two nations will participate in 26 home-and-away ties worldwide, with dates varying between January 31 and February 1 or February 1 and 2, 2025.
The World Group I play-offs will feature 26 countries, including India, as they look to regain their position in the main World Group. Similarly, 26 nations will battle it out in the World Group II play-offs during the same period.
The exact dates for India’s tie will be set by the host nation. But an official from the All India Tennis Association (AITA) confirmed that India will be playing on home soil for this crucial tie (as reported by PTI).
Trending
India’s journey in the Davis Cup has been mixed over the past year. In February 2024, the Indian team secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Pakistan in Islamabad, earning them a place in the World Group I. However, India's campaign took a hit in September when they faced a strong Swedish team in Stockholm and lost, dropping back into the Group I play-offs for the 2025 edition.
While India have a rich history in the Davis Cup, they have yet to clinch the prestigious title, finishing as runner-up on three occasions in 1966, 1974, and 1987.
According to the official Davis Cup website, the choice of venue for the tie between India and Togo will be determined by lot. The Davis Cup rules state that if the competing nations have never met before, last met before 1970, or last faced each other at a neutral venue, the decision on the host nation is made through a random draw. While AITA has expressed confidence in hosting the tie, the final decision is still pending.
Davis Cup format changes
The revised Davis Cup format for the 2025 season has led to significant shifts in team placements. Some nations, including two teams that lost their World Group II ties in September, will now compete in the World Group I play-offs, a change from previous seasons.
Additionally, four teams that failed to earn promotion from regional Group III events will now contest the World Group II play-offs next year.
The ITF further clarified that the winning nations from the World Group I play-offs will advance to World Group I ties in September, joining the losing teams from the 2025 Qualifiers first round.
Meanwhile, the losing nations from the World Group I play-offs and the winning nations from the World Group II play-offs will compete in World Group II ties, also scheduled for September.
