The Davis Cup is being held at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England from November 23-27, 2022 for the quarterfinals stage. Manchester is one of four cities hosting Davis Cup matches along with Glasgow, Malaga, and Valencia as part of the new format for the 2022 Davis Cup Finals. The Manchester Arena has a capacity of 21,000 for tennis and will host two quarterfinal ties.
When and Why Was the Format Changed?
The Davis Cup format was changed in 2018 to create a World Cup-style tournament at the end of each season featuring 18 teams. The new format was introduced by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Kosmos Tennis, an investment group led by soccer star Gerard Piqué, to help revitalize the Davis Cup.
The main reasons for changing the format were to:
- Make it easier for top players to participate regularly in the Davis Cup.
- Increase fan engagement by condensing the competition into a World Cup-style tournament.
- Secure new sponsors and broadcast deals to increase revenue and exposure.
- Make the competition more exciting by having all the matches at one location.
The old Davis Cup format, with home and away ties played on weekends throughout the year, made it difficult for top players to commit given their demanding tournament schedules. Condensing it into a single week and having it right after the ATP season increases participation.
How are Cities Chosen to Host?
Cities bid to host Davis Cup matches through a bidding process organized by Kosmos Tennis and the ITF. They evaluate each bid based on criteria like:
- Stadium capacity and amenities
- Experience hosting major tennis events
- Travel and accommodation infrastructure
- Local support and enthusiasm for tennis
- Financial commitment to things like stadium upgrades, marketing, ticketing efforts
Kosmos and the ITF want to make sure the host cities have the resources and infrastructure to successfully operate the matches and handle the large influx of fans. The cities need to have suitable stadiums, practice facilities, hotels, transportation options, and be located in markets with a strong tennis fanbase or growth potential.
Why Was Manchester Chosen?
There were several factors that went into Manchester being chosen as a 2022 Davis Cup host city:
- The Manchester Arena is a large, modern indoor arena ideal for hosting tennis.
- Manchester has extensive experience hosting major sporting events like the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
- The city made a compelling bid including financial incentives, marketing plans, hospitality options.
- Tennis is very popular across the UK and Manchester has a big population to draw fans from.
- Manchester Airport provides easy international access.
In their bid, Manchester City Council partnered with the Lawn Tennis Association to reaffirm Manchester’s reputation as one of Europe’s premier sporting cities. Manchester joins Glasgow, Aberdeen and Birmingham as UK cities selected for Davis Cup hosting duties showing the country’s commitment to the revamped event.
What Davis Cup Ties Will Manchester Host?
Manchester will host the following two quarterfinal ties of the 2022 Davis Cup Finals:
| Tie | Teams | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinal 1 | Australia vs Netherlands | November 23 |
| Quarterfinal 2 | Croatia vs Spain | November 24 |
These are both intriguing matchups featuring some of the top ranked players in the world. The Australian team is expected to be led by Alex de Minaur and Thanasi Kokkinakis. Netherlands will be led by Botic van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor. For Croatia, Marin Cilic and Borna Coric are likely to play singles while Spain has an incredible depth of talent including Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Roberto Bautista Agut.
Who Are the Other 2022 Davis Cup Hosts?
In addition to Manchester, the other cities selected to host Davis Cup matches in 2022 are:
| City | Country | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow | Scotland | Emirates Arena |
| Valencia | Spain | La Fonteta Stadium |
| Malaga | Spain | Martin Carpena Arena |
Glasgow will host group stage matches and then a quarterfinal. Valencia and Malaga will each host two group stage ties.
The semifinals and final will be held in Malaga from November 29 to December 5. Malaga was likely chosen to host the final stages given its experience holding the Davis Cup Finals in 2019 along with its mild winter climate.
What is the Schedule and Format for the Davis Cup Finals?
Here is an overview of the key dates and format for the 2022 Davis Cup Finals:
- November 22-27 – Group Stage ties held across four cities
- November 23-24 – Quarterfinals held in Glasgow and Manchester
- November 25-26 – Semifinals held in Malaga
- November 27 – Final held in Malaga
For the group stage, 16 teams are drawn into four round-robin groups of four teams each. The winners of each group advance to the quarterfinals. From there it is single elimination bracket until the champion is crowned.
Each tie features two singles matches and one doubles match, each best-of-three sets. The country winning two matches wins the tie. All matches are played on an indoor hard court surface.
Who are the Favorites to Win the Davis Cup?
Based on the team nominations and current player rankings, these are the favorites to win the 2022 Davis Cup Finals:
- Canada – With Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov leading the way, Canada likely has the best 1-2 punch of any country.
- Spain – Four top 20 players including Nadal and Alcaraz make Spain a contender if their stars participate.
- Italy – Led by the in-form duo of Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, Italy has a strong shot.
- Serbia – If Novak Djokovic plays, his greatness could power Serbia to the title.
Other teams like Croatia, Australia and the USA also have solid chances at lifting the trophy. But the depth of talent on the Canadian, Spanish and Italian squads makes them the pre-tournament favorites.
Conclusion
The Manchester Arena hosting two huge Davis Cup quarterfinal matchups shows the city’s emergence as a major tennis destination. Their successful bid to bring the Davis Cup there reflects Manchester’s capabilities to host big-time tennis. With stars like Nadal, Cilic and de Minaur potentially on display, Manchester is sure to provide an electrifying atmosphere for the players and passionate fans.
