History of the Davis Cup
Early Years (1905 - 1922)
Australian players first participated in Davis Cup tennis in 1905 as part of the Australasia team, which included players from both Australia and New Zealand. Although New Zealanders were eligible to represent Australasia, Anthony Wilding was the only one to do so during the team’s existence.
Between 1907 and 1919, the Australasia team secured the Davis Cup title six times—in 1907, 1908, 1909, 1911, 1914, and 1919.
In 1920, the team lost the challenge round 0–5 to the United States in Auckland. They reached the final again in 1921 and returned to the challenge round in 1922, where they were defeated 1–4 by the United States in New York City. This 1922 tournament marked the final appearance of the Australasia team, after which Australia and New Zealand began competing separately.
" Between 1938 and 1968, Australia reached the challenge round for 25 consecutive years, winning 16 titles and finishing as runners-up on nine occasions "
1937-1973
Australia's years of dominance
From 1937 to 1973, only Australia and the United States claimed Davis Cup titles, with the trophy being contested between them on 31 occasions. Australia secured the championship 17 times during this period, in the years 1939, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1973.
Between 1938 and 1968, Australia reached the challenge round for 25 consecutive years, winning 16 titles and finishing as runners-up on nine occasions. This dominant run included a record of four consecutive titles, achieved three separate times: from 1950 to 1953, 1959 to 1962, and 1964 to 1967. Australia also captured three consecutive titles from 1955 to 1957.
The only decades in which Australia failed to win a Davis Cup title were the 1920s, 1940s, and 2010s. Nevertheless, the team finished as runners-up eight times across the 1920s and 1940s.
Following their 1973 triumph, Australia went on to win the Davis Cup five more times: in 1977, 1983, 1986, 1999, and 2003. Notably, between 1999 and 2003, Australia reached the final four times, claiming victory in both 1999 and 2003.
“ Australia have been knocking on the door of Davis Cup success in recent years after reaching the latter stages of the last three editions of the competition. ” - The Davis Cup
2000 - Present
2000 to 2009
In 2003, Lleyton Hewitt mounted a remarkable comeback in the fourth rubber of the semifinal against Switzerland, defeating Roger Federer in five sets after trailing by two sets.
Following the 2003 triumph, Australia was defeated by Sweden 4–1 in the 2004 Davis Cup. To retain its place in the World Group, Australia played and won a qualifying tie against Morocco 4–1. In 2005, Australia comfortably beat Austria 5–0 in the first round but was eliminated by Argentina in the quarterfinals.
In 2006, Australia edged out Switzerland 3–2 in the first round, then delivered a dominant 5–0 win over Belarus.
In the 2007 campaign, Australia lost its opening tie to Belgium, sending the team into the World Group playoffs. Drawn to face Serbia away, Australia was defeated 4–1.
During the 2008 Davis Cup, Australia defeated Chinese Taipei 4–1 and Thailand 5–0 to advance to the World Group playoffs but narrowly lost to Chile 3–2.
In 2009, Australia beat Thailand 3–2 and was scheduled to face India in Chennai for a World Group playoff. Due to security concerns, Australia chose not to travel, and India advanced via walkover.
2010's
In 2010, Australia progressed through the Asia/Oceania playoffs with commanding 5–0 wins over Chinese Taipei and Japan.
For the fourth consecutive year, Australia began its 2011 campaign in the Asia/Oceania group. After advancing to the World Group playoffs, Australia hosted Switzerland on grass at the Royal Sydney Golf Club. The tie ended in a narrow 3–2 loss to the Swiss team
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Australia’s 2012 Davis Cup run also began in the Asia/Oceania zone. The team secured 5–0 wins over both China in the first round and South Korea in the semifinals.
