Davis Cup 2025: Three takeaways from Great Britain’s win over Poland
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Great Britain will return to the Davis Cup Qualifiers in 2026 after Captain Leon Smith’s side defeated Poland 3-1 in a crucial World Group I tie.
Cam Norrie led the side to victory with two singles wins, while Arthur Fery got a dream debut win in a tricky away tie.
We breakdown our top three takeaways from Great Britain’s win as the team get set to challenge for a place in the Finals early next year.
Norrie experience and physicality crucial to British success
Coming into the tie, Great Britain knew that they would need to rely on the experience of British No.2 Norrie to get them over the line – and the former world No.8 delivered.
Norrie hadn’t played a Davis Cup rubber since the Final 8 in 2023, but came into the tie having played some of his best tennis at the majors this season – making the quarter-final at Wimbledon, fourth round at Roland Garros and third round of the US Open.
Having to take on two young, rising stars with little pressure on them, plus the added weight of playing for your country, it was always going to be a challenge, but one that Norrie was more than equal to.
Norrie did what he does best against 2024 junior Roland Garros finalist Tomasz Berkieta and Olaf Pieczkowski and turned both contests into brutally physical matches.
The British star had to withstand a barrage of big-serving from Berkieta in the opening set and some impressive early hitting Pieczkowski from once their levels started to drop he seized his chance. Once Norrie got on top and was able to push his opponent across the court, wearing them down, there was no way back for either of the young Poles.
Norrie’s serve was also a standout element of his game over the tie. Norrie wasn’t broken in either match and only lost three points on serve against Pieczkowski – including a flawless second set where he won 100% of points on his service.
While he may have been expected to win his rubbers, the way Norrie went about his matches just showed what an unbelievable professional he is and should set him up well for the remainder of the season.
Fearless Fery shows the strength and depth in British tennis
With an injury for Jack Draper ahead of this tie, Captain Smith gave a first Davis Cup call up to Arthur Fery off the back of a strong run of form, which has seen him win a first ATP Challenger singles title.
Fery joined up with the team for the first time in Poland, and when Jacob Fearnley had to withdraw with injury just hours before the tie was due to start, the 23-year-old had to step up in a big spot for his country.
As far as Davis Cup debuts go – it was an incredibly impressive display from Fery to defeat Pieczkowski 6-4, 6-2 and double Great Britain’s advantage on day one.
The Briton looked full of confidence on court – solid off both wings from the baseline and always looking for opportunities to get on the front foot and attack the net.
It’s a huge positive for the GB team to know that they have the strength and depth to call upon a player of Fery’s quality in the time of need and for him to deliver.
Fery – who is ranked as world No.227 – is currently the British No.9 in singles, which goes to show the quality in men’s tennis right now.
With the likes of Draper, Fearnley and Norrie, followed by Billy Harris, Dan Evans, Oliver Crawford and Jay Clarke all ranking inside the top 200 as well as Jan Choinski, Jack Pinnington Jones, Johannus Monday and George Loffhagen also performing well, there’s plenty to be excited about for this team in the future.
Rankings count for little in Davis Cup
In the build up to a Davis Cup tie, it can be very easy to get bogged down in rankings and comparing both squads – but the reality is that playing for your country is a different prospect from competing on the tour.
While Poland came in with a squad who, on paper, were ranked lower than Great Britain, they showed that in these team competitions anything can happen.
19-year-old Berkieta – the world No.173 – came within just one point of clinching the opening set against Norrie in the first rubber, which would have given the tie a completely different feel.
Most notably, the Polish doubles team managed to defeat Wimbledon champions and No.1 ranked doubles team Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool in arguably the match of the tie.
Even when they fell a set behind, Zielinski and Drzewiecki kept the energy high and in the decisive moment of the tie – in a deciding set tie-break – came up with the goods.
While the Brits went on to take the tie with Norrie’s second singles victory, the strong Polish challenge just goes to show both the magic of the Davis Cup and the level in men’s tennis throughout the rankings – something GB will no doubt keep in mind for next year’s ties.
