Davis Cup tennis is heading to Cairns.

Australia will host Belgium in Cairns for a place in the World Group of Davis Cup by BNP Paribas

Queensland Minister for Sport Phil Reeves, Cairns Mayor Val Schier and Tennis Australia Major Events boss Steve Ayles were on site this morning jointly announcing the North Queensland city had won the right to host the World Group Play-off tie on 17-19 September.

“Cairns has outperformed all other bids and put in a very impressive submission, ”Mr Ayles told local media.

“We go through a long list of criteria before deciding on a venue for an event as important as a Davis Cup tie. In the end we make a collective decision on what will be the best for the team and for tennis,” he said.

Mr Ayles explained that when considering the various bids some of the factors taken into account include what the event can do for the sport in that region, the standard of facilities, surface, general playing and training conditions, team preference, climate, community interest, accommodation, broadcast requirements and commercial viability.

Speaking from Wimbledon where he has been working with the Australian players, Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald reminded that Davis Cup was a unique competition and a very special brand of incredibly competitive tennis.

“The players put it all on the line for their country. Cairns will get the chance to see some world class tennis,” Fitzgerald said.

Queensland Minister for Sport Phil Reeves said the tie would be the first international Davis Cup tie to be played at the Cairns Regional Tennis Centre, which has recently benefited from an almost $2 million State Government funded facilities upgrade.

“This is a great coup for the Cairns region and definitive proof that international tennis is on the rise in Queensland,” Mr Reeves said.

“The Bligh Government is thrilled to bring an international event to a regional centre, complementing our extensive regional sporting, arts and cultural events program throughout the State

Cairns Mayor Val Schier welcomed the decision.

“It is great for the community to get such a prestigious international event,” she said. “This will be a terrific opportunity for the kids to their idols in action.”

Tickets for the event will go on sale in August.

The Australia-Belgium Davis Cup by BNP Paribas tie in Cairns is proudly sponsored locally by Queensland Events and the Cairns Regional Council.