The United States will travel to Australia as the two most successful nations in Davis Cup history are pitted against each other in the first round of the 2016 World Group play. The Davis Cup draw for next season was held Wednesday in Santiago, and Australia will host the tie between two former powerhouse nations who are trying to reclaim their past glory.
The Americans have won a record 32 times while Australia is second overall with 28 wins. The Americans or Australians had won every Davis Cup title between 1946 and 1973 but the US has come up empty since 2007 and the Aussies haven't won since 2003. The USA's struggles include losing to Great Britain in the first round for the past two years in the team format competition. Great Britain, who are in this year's final against Belgium, have been given a home draw against Japan on March 4-6, Belgium will host a tie against Croatia in the opening round, the first matchup between the two since 2004. It will mark a fifth consecutive tie at home for Johan Van Herck's squad, who will have played 12 of their last 16 Davis Cup ties at home - including this year's final in November on clay in Ghent.