Great Britain have been handed a trip to Japan in the first round of qualifying for the 2025 Davis Cup – which will see Italy host the eight-nation finals.

Britain, seeded 11th, will play Japan in the men’s team event in late January/early February, a week after the Australian Open finishes.

If they win, Leon Smith’s team will move into the second round of qualifying – which will also be a home or away tie following another revamp for the 124-year-old tournament – in September.

The opponents for Britain or Japan will be either fourth seeds Germany, who reached the semi-finals this year, or Israel.

Britain are ultimately aiming to earn a place at November’s eight-team finals, which the International Tennis Federation has decided to move to Italy.

The city of Bologna will host the 2025 edition, replacing Spanish city Malaga which hosted this year’s event in November.