Britain's 2025 Davis Cup bid to start in Japan

British men's number one Jack Draper is likely to lead Leon Smith's side in the 2025 Davis Cup

Great Britain have been handed a trip to Japan in the first round of qualifying for the 2025 Davis Cup - which will see Italy host the eight-nation finals.

Britain, seeded 11th, will play Japan in the men's team event in late January/early February, a week after the Australian Open finishes.

If they win, Leon Smith's team will move into the second round of qualifying - which will also be a home or away tie following another revamp for the 124-year-old tournament - in September.

The opponents for Britain or Japan will be either fourth seeds Germany, who reached the semi-finals this year, or Israel.

Britain are ultimately aiming to earn a place at November's eight-team finals, which the International Tennis Federation has decided to move to Italy.

The city of Bologna will host the 2025 edition, replacing Spanish city Malaga which hosted this year's event in November.

Italy, led by men's world number one Jannik Sinner, defended their Davis Cup crown last month.

The nation also won the Billie Jean King Cup Finals - the women's team event - earlier that week in Malaga.

"We had some incredible interest from four different regions across the world, showing the appetite and interest in the competition," said Alex Hughes, the ITF's executive director for major events.

"Italy are the world champions, having won in 2023 and retained the title this year, and are also the winners of the BJK Cup women's team event.

"I can't think of a more fitting place to take the Davis Cup Final Eight."