Perth to host Davis Cup World Group play-off

Australia will defend its place in the elite Davis Cup World Group at the Cottesloe Tennis Club in Perth in September.

Captain Pat Rafter's team must win the playoff with Uzbekistan from 12th to 14th September to stay in among the top 16 nations after falling to a first-round defeat by France on return to the World Group in February.

This will be the third time Australia has played Uzbekistan and the Australians hold a 2-0 advantage.

Rafter has selected grass as the surface and is excited to head to Perth for the crucial tie, stating “it will be great to play Davis Cup against Uzbekistan on grass at the Cottesloe Tennis Club. It’s such a beautiful location and it’s a bonus to be so close to the beach.

“Home ties are special in this competition and it’s terrific to play at different places around Australia. I know there are lots of keen tennis fans in WA and no doubt they’ll want to come out and support the boys.

"We’ll do everything we can to get over the line to stay in the world group.”

Cottesloe Tennis Club President David Chadwick added “we are very excited to welcome this important Davis Cup tie to the Cottesloe Tennis Club.

“This will be a tremendous opportunity to showcase our great club and I’d like to thank the Western Australian Government for their support in bringing the event to our state.

“Hosting the Davis Cup will certainly put our club on the map and deliver lasting benefits for the community, as well as help promote the great sport of tennis. We look forward to working closely with Tennis Australia to stage a memorable event.”

This event signals a Davis Cup return to Perth for the first time since 2004 when Lleyton Hewitt, Wayne Arthurs and Todd Woodbridge defeated Morocco 4-1 at Royal King’s Park.

Tickets will be available in July, with further details to be announced soon.