Since the year 1900, the Davis Cup tennis competition has seen the best professional men tennis players compete against each other as they represent their country for the prestigious Davis Cup. The inaugural match came about when four Harvard University students challenged Britain. The Cup was named after one of the first competitors, Dwight F. Davis, and the sterling silver trophy he had designed for that first event.

The United States team has dominated this event by winning the Cup more than any other country, led in the 1980’s and 1990’s by its most decorated player John McEnroe. The current team consists of John’s brother Patrick as captain of the new young guns – Andy Roddick, James Blake, and the Bryan brothers.

The format of the Davis Cup competition is a Round Robin event spread over several weekends at different venues in various countries. The most dominant teams are part of the World Group, with the remaining teams competing in regional events to advance into the top 16. Current year seeding and placement in the World Group are based in prior year results.

Each Davis Cup “tie” consists of two singles matches, one doubles match, and the two reverse singles as needed. All matches in a tie are known as “rubbers” and any remaining matches to be played once the tie is decided are called “dead rubbers” because the outcome is insignificant. Scoring is best of five sets with no fifth set tiebreak.

Historically the most dominant Davis Cup teams have been the United States and Australia, each with more wins and runner-up showings than any other nation. Other recent Cup holders are teams representing Russia, Spain and Croatia.

The U.S. Davis Cup team holds the record for most consecutive wins from 1920 through 1926, and most Davis Cup wins with 32. Australia has appeared in the finals more than any other nation from 1938 to 1968, and has won the title second to the U.S. with 28.

John McEnroe has emerged by far as the most decorated U.S. Davis Cup player with years of dedicated support. He has played in the most ties (30) and the most years (12), won the most matches (59-10) and was part of five Cup wins. His consistent participation is especially impressive when other top players disregard Davis Cup as a lesser priority and not as important as individual achievements.

The equivalent women's event is the Fed Cup.