The Fed Cup originally known by its full title of the Federations Cup came into being in 1963; almost half a century after the idea of a multi-national team event for the world's top women players had first been mooted.

Originally, it was to have mirrored the early Davis Cup format of a challenge match between the game's pre-eminent talents at the time, the United States and Great Britain.

However, by the time the idea came into being, enough other potential challengers had emerged to make that inaugural 1963 competition a 16-team affair.

Played over one week at the Queen's Club in London, the United States emerged victorious, beating the hosts 3-0 in the semi-final, before overcoming Australia to win the historic first final.

Billie Jean King was a member of that first winning team, while her successor, Chris Evert, set a record that stands to this day by winning 29 consecutive singles rubbers between 1977 and 1986 a period in which the US won the tournament seven times.

In 1992 the tournament was expanded again and regional qualifying competitions were established. Soon afterwards the Fed Cup switched to a similar style to the Davis Cup, whereby nations played knockout games en route to a final.

The US might stand way out in front with 17 wins, but the tournament's expansion has been mirrored in recent years by its roll-call of champions. Belgium in 2001 and Italy in 2006 were both first-time winners, before Russia claimed the title their fourth in five years in 2008.