A record 409 players from 95 nations took part in Fed Cup by BNP Paribas in 2017, a year that also saw increased online audiences and the highest-ever number of Fed Cup broadcasters. USA won a record-extending 18th title and first since 2000 by beating debut finalists Belarus 3-2 in an electrifying final in Minsk on 11-12 November.

USA’s CoCo Vandeweghe became the first player to win eight rubbers in a Fed Cup year since the current eight-team World Group format was introduced in 2005. She also became only the third player in Fed Cup history to win three rubbers in a Fed Cup Final, following Anastasia Myskina (RUS) in 2004 and Elena Dementieva (RUS) in 2005.

The final at the Chizhovka Arena attracted a sell-out crowd to both days of competition as the Belarus team received passionate home support. This brought the total attendance for Fed Cup by BNP Paribas in 2017 to more than 139,000  spectators – the second highest on record.

Fed Cup by BNP Paribas remains a truly global competition, having been played in 21 countries this year, with 19 home-and-away ties and seven group events held across the World Group, World Group II and three regional zones: Americas, Asia/Oceania and Europe/Africa. A total of 17 Top 20 players turned out for their countries in 2017.

On television, the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final also set a new record, with 45 broadcasters in 158 territories covering the action in Minsk thanks to the ITF's global media rights partner beIN SPORTS. Throughout 2017, a record 73 broadcasters showed Fed Cup coverage in 177 territories. Fed Cup’s new live streaming platform was launched at this year’s Final and will offer streaming of ties throughout 2018.

More than 250,000  fans now follow Fed Cup’s social media channels, an increase of eight per cent on 2016. The range of content provided to supporters was underpinned by strong growth on Twitter and Weibo during the Fed Cup Final. There was a 170 per cent increase in video views on Twitter, while #2017FedCupFinal was engaged with almost 1.5 million times on Weibo.

Some of the sport’s most prominent female stars also voiced support for their teams on Twitter, including Victoria Azarenka, Serena Williams and Billie Jean King. In addition, the Fed Cup website has attracted over 1 million visits and over 4.5 million page views during 2017.

ITF President David Haggerty said: “This year’s Fed Cup by BNP Paribas competition has reminded us why team tennis is so special for players and fans. Last weekend’s final in Minsk was contested by two sets of players who fought to the end and can be proud of their achievements this year. We are delighted to see new records being set in 2017 that demonstrate Fed Cup’s enduring appeal.”