The 2025 Davis Cup kicks off for Brazil this weekend as they face off against France, marking their first challenge of the year. The matches will take place at the Palais des Sports Jean Ros in Orleans, France, beginning Saturday, February 1st, at 10:30 AM (Brasilia time), continuing on Sunday, February 2nd, at 10 AM.
Leading the Brazilian team is João Fonseca, who has just made his debut within the top 100 of the ATP rankings, sitting at 99. He is joined by fellow compatriots Thiago Wild (ranked 76), Matheus Pucinelli (ranked 302), and doubles specialists Rafael Matos (38) and Marcelo Melo (39). Their task is formidable as they go head-to-head with the strong French lineup, featuring Ugo Humbert (15), Arthur Fils (19), Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (30), and Pierre-Hugues Herbert (179).
The format of the Davis Cup has the two teams going through five matches, with the first team to win three matches advancing. To win, they’ll compete in four singles and, if needed, one doubles match. The draw for match order will be done before the games commence.
The matches scheduled for February 1st will see Fonseca opening against Humbert, followed by Wild taking on Fils. The following day, Matos and Melo are set to face Bonzi and Herbert, with singles matches rounding out the weekend. The last encounter between these two nations took place back in 2000, when Brazil triumphed with a dominant 4-1 victory.
Fans will also recall Brazil's recent performance at the 2024 Davis Cup, where they reached the finals but were eliminated during the group stage, claiming victory over Belgium but falling short against Italy and the Netherlands.
João Fonseca expressed pride and determination, saying, "It's an opportunity to represent and honor Brazil... we want to place our tennis among the best in the world, just like last year." This sentiment resonates deeply with the team, underscoring their commitment to nation and sport.
The stakes are high as the winner of this qualifying round will move forward to face either Croatia or Slovakia later this year, with hopes of progressing to the final competition scheduled for November in Bologna, Italy, featuring the world's top eight nations.
Brazil has faced France five previous times, with the historical record standing at three wins for France and two for Brazil. The outcome of this weekend could pivot the future of Brazilian tennis, as they aim for redemption on the international stage.
The matches will be broadcast live on DSports, available on Sky+ and online via Globo Esporte, providing fans with thrilling coverage of this much-anticipated event.