<P> The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men 's tennis . It is run by the International Tennis Federation ( ITF ) and is contested annually between teams from competing countries in a knock - out format . It is described by the organisers as the `` World Cup of Tennis '' , and the winners are referred to as the World Champion team . The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Great Britain and the United States . By 2016 , 135 nations entered teams into the competition . The most successful countries over the history of the tournament are the United States ( winning 32 tournaments and finishing as runners - up 29 times ) and Australia ( winning 28 times , including four occasions with New Zealand as Australasia , and finishing as runners - up 19 times ) . The present champions are France , who beat Belgium to win their tenth title in 2017 . </P>
<P> The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men 's tennis . It is run by the International Tennis Federation ( ITF ) and is contested annually between teams from competing countries in a knock - out format . It is described by the organisers as the `` World Cup of Tennis '' , and the winners are referred to as the World Champion team . The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Great Britain and the United States . By 2016 , 135 nations entered teams into the competition . The most successful countries over the history of the tournament are the United States ( winning 32 tournaments and finishing as runners - up 29 times ) and Australia ( winning 28 times , including four occasions with New Zealand as Australasia , and finishing as runners - up 19 times ) . The present champions are France , who beat Belgium to win their tenth title in 2017 . </P>
who runs the international davis cup events for men 's tennis
who runs the international davis cup events for men 's tennis
the International Tennis Federation
the International Tennis Federation