Coming in off the back of a sensational week in Manchester in 2023, Lexus GB Davis Cup Captain and LTA Head of Men’s Tennis Leon Smith, is hoping the Brits can light up the city in the same fashion as last year, which saw them top the group and punch a ticket to the Final 8 in Malaga.

“We had a brilliant time last year,” Smith said. “The LTA and the city did a brilliant job of putting it on and obviously the arena is excellent.

“The memories from last year were very special. It obviously finished in ridiculous fashion with what Evo and Neal did in that last set on the last day. Now it’s a new year, a new-ish team, I think the fans are going to come out in good numbers again.”

There will be a different feel to the British team this time out, as they prepare for life without former world No.1 Andy Murray following his retirement, and British No.2 Cam Norrie, who's been ruled out with a forearm injury since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

As a result, Smith has brought in some fresh faces in the form of reigning Wimbledon men’s doubles champion Henry Patten and world No.101 Billy Harris, who captured the hearts of the British nation over the grass court season. Both players could be handed debuts should they be selected for any of the ties against Finland, Argentina and Canada.

They’ll also be joined by the experienced Dan Evans, Neal Skupski and Jack Draper as part of a five-strong squad.

“Obviously we miss Andy being around in general. He was the bedrock of the team for the last couple of decades and put his heart and soul into one of the rubbers here last year against Switzerland – you could see how much it meant to him then, but he’s not forgotten is he?

“We’ve got a really good mix of experience that have played a lot of ties. Obviously, Evo (Evans) has played a lot and has done exceptionally well for his country and always has done. Neal has been here since 2019 and hasn’t put a foot wrong – there will be extra pressure on him to do it again but in terms of his attitude, understanding what it’s like to play in a team and at Davis Cup, he really embraces it well.

“I’m delighted to have Henry here. He's a Wimbledon champion, at the top of the game in doubles and he’s been brilliant since he’s got here and I know he’s excited to be part of the team.

“Then we’ve got Billy, everyone loves his story – one of perseverance and dedication to the sport. He’s had to wait a while to make a breakthrough but has done the hard yards. He’s had a really good two years to get to this point where he’s on the cusp of the top 100 and he fits into the team brilliantly."

The British team are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of British No.1 Draper, who stole the headlines in New York following a fairytale run a career-first Grand Slam semi-final.

The 22-year-old defeated the likes of Botic van de Zandschulp, Tomas Mahac and world No.11 Alex de Minaur en route to the final four and has now cracked into the world's top 20 for the first time in his career.

Last year's Group Stages marked Draper's Davis Cup debut, where he came back from a set behind to beat Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7(6), 6-3, 7-6(4).

With plenty of positive memories from 12 months ago, and the world No.20 in the form of his life, he's set to be an deadly weapon to the British team should he be selected to play.

“We’re absolutely thrilled he’s coming and that shows his commitment,” Smith added. “Obviously, he came to Colombia last year and then was involved in what we did in September and November – you can tell straight away he gets Davis Cup.

“He plays with passion, pride, fight and you mix that he’s a top 20 player with unbelievable quality. He’s going to be a really important member of the team not just this year but for many, many years to come and he absolutely loves it, his commitment to coming here just shows that.”

Great Britain will begin their campaign to reach November’s Finals in Malaga on Wednesday 11 September against Finland. 

You can watch every tie from the Davis Cup on the Tennis Channel. All of Great Britain’s ties will also be broadcast live on the Tennis Channel FAST channels, as well as BBC red button, BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.