The Maldives Men’s National Tennis Team has completed a record-breaking campaign in the 2025 Davis Cup Group V Asia/Oceania Zone, achieving a level of group stage dominance. Competing in Manama, Bahrain, from November 19th to 24th, 2025, the team powered their way to the semi-finals/promotion play-off, topping their group with a perfect record.
While they ultimately fell just short of achieving promotion to Group IV, their journey was a clear demonstration that the Maldives is a rising force in regional tennis.
Group Stage Dominance: The Perfect Record
The Maldivian squad entered the Group V tournament with focus and determination. For the first time in three years, the team won all of its group ties, securing the top spot in the round-robin stage against formidable regional opponents.
The core team, featuring Abdulla Faaih Fazeel, Daoud Shaheeb, Ahmed Saai Waheed, Mohamed Kaisaan Izzath Rasheed and Adam Aal Niyaz, coached by Mr. Farrokh Etminan delivered powerful performances throughout the week:
| Match Tie | Opponent | Final Score | Key Player Victories & Scores |
| Day 1 | United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Maldives won 2-1 | Abdulla Faaih Fazeel won his singles match (6-0, 6-2). Fazeel & Daoud Shaheeb secured the crucial doubles point in a thrilling tie-break finish (6-2, 3-6, 7-6(1)). |
| Day 2 | Macau | Maldives won 2-1 | Abdulla Faaih Fazeel delivered a singles victory (6-1, 6-3). Shaheeb & Ahmed Saai Waheed clinched the tie with a strong doubles win (6-2, 6-1). |
| Day 3 | Tajikistan | Maldives won 2-1 | Abdulla Faaih Fazeel once again secured a critical singles victory (6-3, 6-3). The doubles team of Fazeel & Waheed won the tie for the Maldives, ensuring they topped the group. |
By successfully navigating these challenging group ties, the team showcased a level of consistency that earned them a direct shot at the next tier of the Davis Cup.
The Promotion Play-Off: A Step Closer to Group IV
Winning the group propelled the Maldives directly into the semi-final promotion play-off, with the winner earning a spot in the 2026 Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group IV.
In this pivotal match, the Maldivian team faced the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI). Despite their relentless effort and dominant group performance, the squad was unable to overcome the NMI side, ultimately falling in a tough 3-0 loss.
Had the team secured this final victory, they would have qualified for Group IV and made national tennis history.
The Foundation for Future Success
While falling at the final hurdle for promotion is undoubtedly tough, the team’s overall campaign marks enormous progress. Tallying three straight group wins is a rare achievement, demonstrating the potential and fighting spirit of Fazeel, Shaheeb, and Waheed.
This historic run confirms that Maldivian tennis is rapidly developing and competing effectively on the international stage. The experience gained in Bahrain will serve as an invaluable foundation for the squad to return stronger next year, ready to finish the job and achieve that elusive promotion to Davis Cup Group IV.
Congratulations to the Maldives Men’s Davis Cup team on a truly historic run!