American tennis couldn't have asked for more.

After 12 years, the Davis Cup title is back in the country that used to be a tennis empire. The US have now won the international team tournament 32 times since 1900 – more than any other country.  Andy Roddick, James Blake and twin brothers Bob and Mike Bryan completed a 4-1 win over Russia in the final at Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon, yesterday.

Davis Cup history hasn't been all good. Players in an individual sport like tennis have found it hard to commit for their countries over the years, especially taking into consideration the gruelling tournament schedule they now face.

‘...the USA might just have found exactly what is required to raise the sport's profile in a country renowned for its unique patriotism.’


While the USA can afford to pay players enough to take those weeks off to play for their country and give up ranking points and prize money in individual tournaments, other countries (like Israel for example, who made it to the last 16) have a very limited budget and find it hard to pay players (ranked in the top 100 in singles and top 10 in doubles) what they deserve.

But the problem of the Davis Cup hasn't been all money.

Tennis has been suffering as a whole from a lack of audiences in many tournaments  – we can clearly remember the Masters in Shenai this year being played in a half-empty 15,000-seat stadium – and the Davis Cup hasn't been any different.

The tournament format is not entirely clear to the average fan who is more accustomed to cheering on their own personal hero rather than a team.

But while any other country wouldn't see the big advantage in winning what is regarded as the team world cup of tennis, the USA might just have found exactly what is required to raise the sport's profile in a country renowned for its unique patriotism. The win might just bring enough kids on to the tennis court – and America might find its new generation of tennis heroes.

And what about Davis Cup itself?

In countries where this unique tournament has been a part of the history of the game (USA, Australia and Great Britain) it will always have lots of supporters. It's a matter of heritage.

In other countries, it is up to the local tennis associations to make every home tie – even a small one in Division 2 between players ranked lower than 200 in the world – a festival of tennis. Only when local fans and media around the world hear the word, will this great tournament receive the Grand Slam-style attention that it deserves.