There is not much at stake in the Davis Cup delegation games this weekend. Tennis fans can nevertheless look forward to attractive matches.
The ranking system in the Davis Cup is a science in its own right. As a general rule, the further back the performances of the national teams, the lower the ITF’s assessment of the historical results.
Victories in the world group are naturally rewarded more lucratively than successes in the lower leagues.
Until the major Davis Cup reform adopted by the ITF this summer, the Nations Ranking was only significant in that the seed lists for the following year were based on it.
In the first round of the Davis Cup in 2019, 24 nations are to play out twelve places for the final tournament in autumn (or late autumn, depending on which date the world federation will now conjure up out of the hat). The four semi-finalists of this year, i.e. defending champions France, Spain, Croatia and the USA, are exempt from this.
Austria is currently in 22nd place and could pass Sweden and India with a win against Australia. Lleyton Hewitt’s team, on the other hand, is playing for their good reputation and sporting honour, the place in the 2019 World Group is not in danger. In the case of Australia, it is also safe to assume that one of the two wild cards would be ready for the final round if they missed the target.
The Dutch (18th place) and the Canadians (14th) will be equally relaxed at the weekend. Both nations are secured downwards, but Robin Haase and his team could still have the chance to make it to the top twelve in round one in 2019.
Dominic Thiem, Dennis Novak and Co. are just a short distance away. But this should not diminish the anticipation of the match with the Australians. After all, Austria’s number one won the last two home games against Romania and Belarus – and a full house in Graz will be enough motivation for Thiem anyway.