New Zealand Names Davis Cup Team to Take on Japan

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New Zealand has named their five-man team that will take on Japan in the World Group I tie of the Davis Cup.

The team consists of Ajeet Rai, Finn Reynolds, Isaac Becroft, James Watt, and Anton Shepp. It is the same team that secured victory in the World Group I Play-Off against Bosnia & Herzegovina in February.

The tie will take place indoors at The Trusts Arena in Auckland across 19 and 20 September, and is set to be the largest tennis event of the year outside the ASB Classic, with thousands of tickets already sold.

Non-playing New Zealand captain Artem Sitak is confident the team can rise to any occasion, with the help of a lively home crowd.

“As this young team has grown together into the competition, we've really focused on building a positive team culture. That's at the heart of everything we do, from how we train, to how we approach big ties. It's a big part of why this team has been consistently able to rise to big occasions and defeat higher-ranked players.

Representing New Zealand on the international stage is a huge honour no matter the discipline, and that is not lost on this team. We know they'll give it their all against Japan, and we know the Auckland crowd will be incredibly supportive and loud.”

The Davis Cup is one of sport’s oldest competitions, with over 100 years of history. After three consecutive wins, New Zealand have earned promotion to World Group I, placing them in the same category as top tennis nations like Australia, Serbia, Argentina, Norway and Brazil.

The two-day format will feature two singles rubbers on day one, followed by doubles and reverse singles on day two. The team that secures three wins across the two days will progress to the Davis Cup Qualifiers, where they have the chance to make the final eight and compete for the trophy. Italy, led by world number one Jannik Sinner, have won the Davis Cup three years running.

General admission tickets are on sale and start from $20. Courtside corporate hospitality tables are completely sold out.

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