1913 International Lawn Tennis Challenge
The 1913 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the 12th edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup. With Great Britain's win in 1912, the competition returned to Europe for the first time in five years. This prompted several new teams to join the competition, creating the largest field to date. The first round tie between Germany and France, played at Wiesbaden, Germany was the first Davis Cup tie to be played on clay courts, or any surface other than grass. The United States would triumph in the final, which was played at Worple Road in Wimbledon, London, England on 25–28 July.
Davis Cup 1913 quarterfinal at the West Side Tennis Club, New York - Rice (Australasia) against McLoughlin (United States)
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 over 150 competiting countries, making it the world's largest annual team sporting competition. It is described by the organisers as the "World Cup of Tennis", and the winners are referred to as the World Champions. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Great Britain and the United States. By 2023, 155 nations entered teams into the competition.
The 2018 Davis Cup Final – opening ceremony.
Davis Cup trophy displayed in the Český rozhlas headquarters, Prague-Vinohrady, 2012
American player Dwight Davis (center) in 1900 with the trophy he committed to build.
Bill Johnston (US) vs. Gerald Patterson (Australasia) in the Challenge Round at the West Side Tennis Club in 1922