Madrid was selected to host the first two revamped Davis Cup finals in '19 and '20, the event's organizers announced on Thursday, according to Simon Jennings of REUTERS. The revised week-long, 18-team finals are scheduled to be held at Caja Mágica, the current venue for the Madrid Open, in Nov. '19, while the following edition "will be held at either the same location or the WiZink Center." The new format will include a group stage taking place over the first four days, "with the participating countries split into six groups of three." Each tie consists of two singles and one doubles match over a best-of-three set format, with the six group winners and two best second-placed teams qualifying for the quarterfinals (REUTERS, 9/27). The EFE reported Community of Madrid President Ángel Garrido estimated that hosting the tournament will have an economic impact of €240M ($280M) on the region. He said, "We all said that it was important to bring the Davis Cup to Madrid and we have achieved this with the work of everyone." He estimated that the tournament will attract more than 250,000 tourists (EFE, 9/27). The EP reported the Community of Madrid and the Madrid City Council will each provide €4.5M ($5.3M) in funding for the '19 event, while Madrid trade fair organization IFEMA will contribute €1M ($1.2M) (EP, 9/27).
HOSTING DUTY: REUTERS' Ian Chadband reported recent Davis Cup winners Argentina and Great Britain were "handed wildcards" to compete in next year's finals of the revamped competition, while Australia was upgraded to a "seeded qualifier." Australia was "drawn in a home qualifying tie with Bosnia and Herzegovina" on Feb. 1-2 (REUTERS, 9/27).
