Canada will kick off its Davis Cup campaign next year, with the host venue yet to be finalized. Tennis Canada announced that details about team lineups and the playing surface will be shared closer to the event. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for ITF)
Canada will kick off its 2025 Davis Cup journey by hosting Hungary in a first-round qualifier, as announced by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Monday. The tie is set to take place either on January 31-February 1 or February 1-2, with the venue yet to be decided.
This marks the first-ever Davis Cup face-off between Canada and Hungary. The action-packed event will feature two singles matches on the first day, followed by a doubles clash and two more singles encounters on Day 2.
Canada earned the right to host this qualifier after reaching the Davis Cup Final 8 last month. Although the team roster and surface details are still under wraps, anticipation is high for Canada’s top players, including Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, currently ranked No. 29. Notably absent from the 2024 campaign, Auger-Aliassime's potential return could boost the team’s chances. Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo and Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., both faced tough singles losses in their last outing.
Hungary ranked 22nd globally, and secured its spot in the qualifier by defeating Egypt in World Group 1 play. The team will arrive determined to challenge Canada on its home turf.
The 2025 Davis Cup format introduces significant changes. Starting next year, the tournament will no longer feature a group stage. Winners from the first-round qualifiers will advance to a 14-team second-round qualifier in September. Victors of that round will secure a spot in the Final 8, slated for November in Bologna, Italy, where defending champions Italy will compete alongside the qualified teams.
Meanwhile, first-round qualifier losers will drop to World Group 1 play in September and must win to stay in the hunt for a spot in the following year’s Davis Cup Final 8.
The Netherlands, 2024 Final 8 runner-up, has received a wild-card entry to the second-round qualifiers and will face either Norway or Argentina in September.
With the qualifiers’ draw now set, Canada is ready to capitalize on its home-court advantage as it aims to advance in the prestigious tournament.
