EIGHT nations will vie for glory in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals that kicks off overnight in Malaga. Headlined by reigning champions Italy with world number one Jannik Sinner named for his nation, the only element that tops it is the fact that 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will bid farewell to tennis at the event, wrapping up his illustrious career representing Spain.

DAVIS CUP FINALS FIXTURE

[1] Italy vs. [15] Argentina
[2] Australia vs. [4] United States
[5] Germany vs. [3] Canada
[6] Netherlands vs. [10] Spain

In a rather lop-sided draw, three of the top four ranked sides have all ended in one half of the fixture, with three of the four lowest ranked sides in the other half. Strangely, last year’s finalists and top two nations in Italy and Australia cannot face off in a final rematch, instead set for a semi-finals encounter if they both make it. For the green and gold, it has copped fourth ranked United States while sixth ranked Netherlands – the lowest of the seeds – has drawn home nation Spain.

CONTENDERS

Italy

The reigning champions deserve to be favourites, with world number one Sinner leading an all-star strong squad that has few holes in it. Former Top 5 star and in-form Italian Matteo Berrettini was a late inclusion for Flavio Cobolli and offers another point of difference in the singles alongside Top 20 talent Lorenzo Musetti. Given Sinner’s turnaround between winning the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup, do not be shocked if both Berrettini and Musetti lineup against Argentina.

United States

It is a shame that the United States who should be second favourites, do not end up on the other side of the draw. Like Italy, there are few to no holes in the five-player squad, with ATP Finals runner-up Taylor Fritz alongside a couple of genuine stars in Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton. The Americans have the strongest depth of any nation with the third singles player Shelton ranked 21st, while having a world class doubles combination in Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek.

Australia

As is evident, the key contenders are all in one side of the draw, and for purists it is beyond frustrating that only one of them can make the final. The Aussies will be buoyed by getting Top 10 talent Alex de Minaur back – coming off an ATP Finals debut – and he will take the number one singles spot with Top 30 players Jordan Thompson and Alexei Popyrin as great depth. Aussie doubles specialist Matthew Ebden is one of four Grand Slam doubles champions in the team with Thompson, Popyrin and Thanasi Kokkinakis also lifting the trophy in that format.

Spain

The Spanish side is primed to make a run to the final off the back of not only home crowd support, but the emotion around Nadal’s retirement. Never mind that world number three Carlos Alcaraz is guaranteed to force a deciding set each match at the very least. The biggest conundrum on captain David Ferrer’s mind is whether head or heart wins out for the second singles or doubles regarding Nadal compared to the more in-form Roberto Bautista Agut and Pedro Martinez.

DARK HORSE

Netherlands

The biggest threat to Spain’s fairytale run to the final will be the home team’s quarter finals opponent. The Dutch are not neccessarily ranked as high as others, but are so reliable and work well as a team. Tallon Griekspoor is a tricky player, and while not likely to beat Alcaraz, the depth of the Dutch with Botic Van de Zandschulp and Jesper De Jong will help with the second singles. Throw in doubles specialist Wesley Koolhof and Netherlands is the ‘best of the rest’.

MAKING UP THE NUMBERS

Germany

If world number two Alexander Zverev was playing, then Germany would be in the ‘contenders’ category, but without him, big-serving Jan-Lennard Struff moves up to the number one singles spot, while Yannick Hanfmann and Daniel Altmaier will be options for the second singles rubber, ranked just inside the Top 100. Germany’s biggest strength comes in its doubles combination with Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz a Top 10 duo. If Germany can win a second singles tie, then they will be favourites in most doubles scenarios.

Argentina

Rankings wise Argentina is not too bad, but playing on a hardcourt against an Italian side that is the title favourite, it is near-impossible to see them getting through the quarter finals. If Argentina was on the other side of the draw, then the South Americans could be a chance to make the final. Three Top 30 singles players in Sebastian Baez, Francisco Cerundolo and Tomas Etcheverry makes the depth very good, but the doubles combination of Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez is another strong point of difference.

Canada

On paper Canada has the potential to be quite strong, but minus Felix Auger-Aliassime – who was a late withdrawal allowing veteran Milos Raonic to come in – and the North Americans are left quite vulnerable across the board. Third in the world on paper after winning the 2022 title, a lot rests on the shoulders of Denis Shapovalov. Their highest ranked doubles player is Gabriel Diallo at 681st, while only Shapovalov is close to the Top 50 at present (56th).