GAME, SET, MATCH: THE DAVIS CUP BY RAKUTEN FINALS 2021 COMES TO A CLOSE WITH OFFICIAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTNER LEXUS AMONG THE STARS OF THE COMPETITION
The competition, which took place in Madrid, Turin and Innsbruck from 25th November to 5th December, saw the Russian team crowned champions for their third tournament win.
The Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals 2021 officially concludes today with the competition’s automotive partner, Lexus, leading the celebrations of a historic win for the Russian team. The finals took place in Madrid from 25th November to 5th December with a series of stand-out performances from Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev of Russia garnering plaudits from tennis fans worldwide. A shock group-stage elimination for the Spanish team provided viewers with an unexpected favourite’s exit.
The star-studded Finals attracted iconic names in the world of sport, music, fashion, film and politics, with attendees including former Portugal international footballer Luis Figo, Mexican international footballer Rafa Marquez and actress Jaydy Michel, Spanish footballing legend Fernando Hierro and Tennis player Fernando Verdasco.
As part of their commitment to the partnership, Lexus was responsible for the official transportation of players and teams from the 18 competing nations to the tennis village. In addition to the finals in Madrid, Group Stage and quarter-final ties were contested in Innsbruck, Austria and Turin, Italy.
With shared values and beliefs, and both entities striving for unmatched luxury and cherished experiences, the synergy between Lexus and The Davis Cup is clear. The all-new Lexus NX takes centre court as the official car of the tournament, heralding a new chapter for the Japanese car manufacturer. The NX offers new directions in exterior/interior design and new powertrains, which includes Lexus’ first ever plug-in hybrid electric, dynamic improvements that deliver a more rewarding and connected driving experience and next generation multimedia and connectivity. The NX’s “Feel More” campaign runs in tandem with a competition celebrated for its vibrant, emotionally charged, and often unforgettable moments of “feeling”, whether that be passion, happiness, sadness, or surprise.
Following the final, Lexus social media channels released exclusive IGTV interview content with Italian player Fabio Fognini, Austrian Dennis Novak and Brit Daniel Evans, reflecting on their thrilling, and sometimes turbulent, tennis careers.
The Davis Cup was first founded in 1900 and has since grown to become the largest annual world championship in sport, with 142 nations entered in 2021. The new Finals format, which saw the top 18 nations compete to be crowned Davis Cup champions, was introduced in 2019 with Spain winning the title in Madrid.
Spiros Fotinos, Head of Lexus Europe, commented: “As this iconic competition comes to an end, we’re grateful to the tournament organisers, players and fans for contributing to such a diverse, memorable and unique experience. There is a natural connection between Lexus and The Davis Cup when comparing the dedication, mastery and craftsmanship that both the NX designers and participating athletes exhibit to produce world-beating results that are at the pinnacle of their industry.”
Enric Rojas, Kosmos Tennis CEO, said: "Lexus’ return as the official automotive partner of The Davis Cup further cements the incredible relationship between the two organisations. This year's multi-site format, across three countries, was an opportunity for Lexus to showcase to the world its ability to create unforgettable experiences for an engaged luxury audience of tennis fans. With the industry’s eyes fixed on this iconic competition, both players and teams experienced a level of service and hospitality that has become synonymous with Lexus’ inimitable interpretation of the Omotenashi philosophy.”