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Pedro Luis Alonso
Malaga
Monday, 2 December 2024
Malaga’s long-lasting relationship with the Davis Cup has finally come to an end after the International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced on Monday that Italy will be the host for the tournament's Final 8 from 2025.
Having clinched back-to-back Davis Cup titles and the Billie Jean King Cup in Malaga last month, Italy is enjoying a renaissance on the world stage.
As a result, and because of the city's proximity to Turin, home to the ATP Finals, Bologna now has been chosen as the host city from next year until 2027 despite a highly lucrative offer from China.
Host nation Italy have secured automatic qualification. As runner-up this year, the Netherlands have secured a bye to the second round of qualification and will face the winner of the Norway-Argentina clash.
Spain, meanwhile, will face Switzerland at the end of January in the first-round qualifiers.
Malaga’s three-year run as host, backed by financial contributions from the city hall, provincial authority and Andalusian regional government, has revitalised the competition. The city's ability to attract near-full crowds, even on weekday mornings, has drawn public praise from the ITF.
The participation of top-ranked players, including last year’s Sinner-Djokovic clash, further boosted its appeal.
However, more lucrative offers and concerns over a potential Spanish monopoly have driven the ITF to alternate the host nation. This shift comes despite Malaga’s pivotal role in restoring confidence in the tournament during its reformatting phase, which now mirrors its traditional structure except for the Final 8.
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