The 2024 Davis Cup Finals will start soon, and the traditional fans can't get over the new format. The men's tour is packed, such that many players have one month of rest and recreation. Some top players have less, as they can't resist the exhibition matches. (Saudi Arabia is calling!) The current state of the ATP Tour doesn't guarantee that the big names in men's tennis, all of them, would commit to the Davis Cup Finals. It's still exciting for those passionate, if not rabid, fans cheering for their respective teams.
The 2023 Davis Cup Finals saw Matteo Arnaldi and Jannik Sinner winning their singles rubber matches, clinching Italy's second Davis Cup title. The result would mean that Italy and Australia, the runner-up for the second straight year, won't participate in the qualifying round. The 2024 Davis Cup Finals wildcards were awarded to Spain, the host, and Great Britain.
It's too early to predict the knockout round, but we can tell which teams, or most of them, will play in Malaga, Spain this November. Let's not wait further.
Group A (Bologna, Italy)
Belgium, Brazil, Italy, Netherlands
Italy and Netherlands are certain of finishing first and second respectively. The result wouldn't change if Sinner would be unavailable due to injury. Lorenzo Musetti and Luciano Darderi are the second and third-best players from Italy. Both players are currently ranked in the Top 50. They would be too much for the other players from the other teams.
And the combined rankings of the Italian and Dutch squads are too good to be ignored. It would be unwise to bet against the two teams, yet the worst scenario could be Belgium and Brazil winning one of the two singles rubber matches. An upset would lead to the crucial doubles match, which would favor the Belgian and Brazilian squads. We won’t see it happening, though.
Group B (Valencia, Spain)
Australia, Czech Republic, France, Spain
We won't call Group B the so-called "Group of Death", but tennis analysts wouldn't predict the winners in minutes. Carlos Alcaraz's absence could be a factor. We’ll put our money on Australia and France. Alcaraz lost his opening-round match to Gael Monfils in Cincinnati, prompting the Spaniard to smash his racket in frustration. Some fans might be startled at such a behavior, but the long, grueling season has taken a toll on Alcaraz. And he didn’t like settling for the silver medal at the Olympics.
It’s not good news for the Spanish squad, as it could be a sign of Alcaraz skipping the group stage. In other words, expect him to focus on winning the Shanghai Masters. That would leave the Czech Republic. It depends on Tomas Machac’s form, if the Olympic gold medal in mixed doubles would motivate him more. The Australian and French squads are still good on their off days, so there.
Group C (Zhuhai, China)
Chile, Germany, Slovakia, USA
The WTA Elite Trophy was a season-ending tournament where the top female tennis players, who didn't qualify for the season-ending WTA Finals, would play for prize money, points, and bragging rights. (The WTA Elite Trophy flower-laden trophy was one of the most attractive trophies we have seen.) It was held in Henqqin Tennis Center in Zhuhai, China.
It will host the Group C group stage of the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, which is neither strange nor off. The location is convenient for all players, as the group stage is held before the start of the Asian swing. And men's tennis is more popular than ever.
We see Germany and USA advancing to the knockout round. It’s not that Chile and Slovakia don’t stand a chance, but both the American and German squads have the best doubles teams in the world. If it comes down to a 1-1 tie, the US and Germany are overwhelming favorites to win their respective doubles rubber matches.
Group D (Manchester, Great Britain)
Argentina, Canada, Finland, Great Britain
AO Arena will host the Davis Cup Finals for the second straight year. We believe that Canada and Great Britain will top Group D. Who will finish in first place? The home court advantage would give the British squad the edge - and first place.
Andy Murray may have retired from the men’s tour, but it didn’t lessen his (former) teammates’s chances. Jack Draper has come of age. Finally! It goes down to Argentina and Canada, and we predict the latter to prevail in their faceoff. If this tie were held on red clay, the Argentinians are hands down the favorites. But not this tie.
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