Barcelona wins bid to host Davis Cup final

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Defending champions Spain will host this year’s Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic in Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi, the Spanish Tennis Federation announced on Saturday.

The decision is yet to be ratified by the ITF, but with the International governing body having previously approved the venue that looks likely to be a formality.

The indoor clay court arena, built for the 1992 Olympics, has a capacity of 17,000 and was the venue for Spain’s first Davis Cup triumph, against Australia in 2000. Current Davis Cup captain Albert Costa was part of that winning team.

Spain have since won the Davis Cup twice more and the December 4-6 final against the Czechs will see them attempt to become the first nation since Sweden in 1998 to retain the trophy. They have won 17 straight home Davis Cup ties.

This is Czech Republic’s first Final since winning the title in 1980.

Bids from open-air venues in Malaga and Tenerife to host the final had previously been rejected by the ITF. Malaga’s stadium also fell under the minimum seating capacity of 12,000.

Barcelona was competing with Valencia to stage the event, with the Spanish federation voting 13-1 in favour of the sports complex in the north-east of the Catalan capital at a meeting at the Real Club de Tenis Oviedo.

The best-of-five series is to be held on the weekend of December 4-6.