1974 Davis Cup


The 1974 Davis Cup was the 63rd edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 57 teams would enter the competition, 33 in the Europe Zone, 12 in the Americas Zone, and 12 in the Eastern Zone. Nigeria made its first appearance in the tournament.
South Africa defeated Colombia in the Americas Inter-Zonal final, India defeated Australia in the Eastern Zone final, and Italy and the Soviet Union were the winners of the two Europe Zones, defeating Romania and Czechoslovakia respectively.
In the Inter-Zonal Zone, South Africa defeated Italy and India defeated the Soviet Union in the semifinals. Due to their opposition to the apartheid policies of the South African government, India refused to travel to South Africa for the final, therefore defaulting the final and awarding South Africa the tournament. South Africa became only the fifth nation to win the Davis Cup, breaking the dominance of the United States, Great Britain, France and Australia teams which had won every tournament before this year.

Americas Zone

North &; Central America Zone

Preliminary Rounds

Main Draw

South America Zone

Preliminary Rounds

Main Draw

Americas Inter-Zonal Final

Colombia vs. South Africa

Eastern Zone

Preliminary Rounds

Main Draw

Final

India vs. Australia
The Eastern Zone Final set the Davis Cup record for the most games in a tie.

Europe Zone

Zone A

Pre-Qualifying Rounds

Preliminary Rounds

Main Draw

Final

Italy vs. Romania

Zone B

Pre-Qualifying Rounds

Preliminary Rounds

Main Draw

Final

Soviet Union vs. Czechoslovakia

Inter-Zonal Zone

Draw

Semifinals

India vs. Soviet Union
South Africa vs. Italy

Final

The final between South Africa and India was scheduled to be completed by 1 December 1974, but India refused to travel to South Africa due to opposition to the apartheid policies of the South African government at the time; therefore, the final was scratched, and South Africa was awarded the Davis Cup.