Duration 6 March – 13 December Winning Nation United States | Edition 70th | |
The 1981 Davis Cup (also known as the 1981 Davis Cup by NEC for sponsorship purposes) was the 70th edition of the tournament between national teams in men's tennis. This was the first year that the tournament moved to a tiered system, with the creation of the 16-team World Group. Teams that reached the Zonal semifinals in the previous year's tournament were chosen for the inaugural World Group. Teams who lost in the first round played each other in the Relegation Play-off, with the four losers relegated to their Zonal competition. Winners of the Zonal competitions earned promotion into the next year's World Group. 53 teams would enter the competition, 16 in the World Group, 23 in the Europe Zone, 8 in the Americas Zone, and 6 in the Eastern Zone. The United States defeated Argentina in the final, which was held at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, OH, United States, on 11-13 December.
Contents
Draw
First round losers play in World Group Relegation Play-off.
World Group Relegation Play-offs
Date: 2-4 October
Americas Zone
The winner from each bracket advanced to the Americas Inter-zonal play-offs to compete for a spot in the 1982 World Group.
Eastern Zone
The winner of the Eastern Zone bracket was promoted to the 1982 World Group.
European Zone
The winner from each zone was promoted to the 1982 World Group.