GLASGOW has missed out on hosting Great Britain's first round 2016 Davis Cup tie after the LTA revealed that the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham would host the tie against Japan. The encounter will be Britain's first back on home soil since reaching the historic final against Belgium and the first opportunity for home fans to recreate the incredible atmosphere that greeted the team during their 2015 campaign.
Taking place from 4-6 March 2016, the contest in Birmingham will be only the second time the sides have met in the history of the biggest team competition in tennis. The Barclaycard Arena will have capacity for 9,000 fans a day over the tie, and is the site of some historic Davis Cup encounters. In 1999 the venue played host to a memorable tie between Great Britain and the USA which saw three thrilling five-set rubbers over the weekend.
Great Britain’s 2015 campaign has seen them defeat the USA, France and Australia in home ties to progress to their first final in 37 years, while Japan - boasting a top-ten player in the form of Kei Nishikori - saw mixed fortunes in the World Group in 2015, falling in the first-round to a Canadian team led by Milos Raonic, but preserving their World Group standing by defeating Colombia in the play-offs. Nishikori, currently world No. 8 has an impressive Davis Cup record of 18 wins and 2 losses but this the first encounter between the two nations since 1931 with the winner set to face Kazakhstan or Serbia in the quarter-finals in July.
Leon Smith, Captain of the Aegon GB Davis Cup Team, said: “We are delighted to be heading to Birmingham for the first-round of our 2016 Davis Cup campaign. It is a city with a great sporting history that has hosted some incredible Davis Cup ties in the past. Our fans have supported us so well this year and they really make a difference. Japan will be a tough contest but I’m sure the Birmingham fans will get right behind us and make as much noise as they can.”
Councillor Ian Ward, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The return of the Davis Cup to Birmingham is absolutely fantastic news for the city. Birmingham is a city renowned for staging major sporting events and this year alone has successfully hosted two Rugby World Cup matches at Villa Park, the Ashes at Edgbaston, the Diamond League athletics at the Alexander Stadium and another fantastic tennis event, the Aegon Classic Birmingham at The Edgbaston Priory Club. The National Indoor Arena – now the Barclaycard Arena – became known as the home of the Davis Cup, having hosted six ties between 1999 and 2007, bringing sell-out crowds and a truly electric atmosphere.”
Tickets will go on sale online at 8am Tuesday 24 November for British Tennis Members, with the general sale opening at 8am Wednesday 2 December. Ticket information is available at www.lta.org.uk/DavisCup.
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