Brand-new Fed Cup to kick off in Budapest in 2020, similar to Davis Cup, sunshevy.blogspot.com

Australia and France will fight for the Fed Cup crown between November 9-10 in Perth in the last 
title match in this format. Back in 2005, the Fed Cup introduced two World Group divisions with 
eight teams battling over three rounds to determine the champion and the field for the next season.
That will all change next season, with the organizers introducing the Fed Cup Finals, a new format that will taker 12 countries fighting for the title at the Laszlo Papp Budapest Sports Arena in April on an indoor clay court.

Just like in the Davis Cup, teams will fight for the place at the Fed Cup Finals, with 16 qualifying ties to determine eight finalists. Two finalists from the previous year will also book tickets for the main event, together with the host nation and one wild card.

Total prize money is very likable, with $12 million going to the players and remaining $6 million for the national associations. The Finals will embrace the formula with four groups of three teams, with the group leaders heading to the semi-final and continuing the quest for the title.

All ties will contain two singles and one doubles rubber. “The launch of the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Finals will create a festival of tennis that elevates this flagship women’s team competition to a new level, yet remains loyal to the historic core of the Fed Cup.

We have consulted and listened to stakeholders and worked with the WTA and its Player Council to make sure the new format represents the interests of the players. We pledged to our National Associations during the 2018 AGM that we would introduce reforms that will grow the competition’s global audience and enable greater investment into the future of the sport.

We believe this bold new Fed Cup format delivers this pledge,” said ITF President, David Haggerty. "Fed Cup has evolved since I was part of the first winning team in 1963 but it has always remained true to its roots.

These reforms are historic as they reflect the ITF’s commitment to unlocking the Fed Cup’s huge potential, hosting a competition with prize money deserving of the world’s best women’s tennis teams and players.