Benneteau told Ouest-France that he preferred the old home-and-away system for the competition, previously called the Fed Cup before being renamed after the American tennis legend in 2020.

Twelve teams will battle it out over a week before the champions are crowned after the final on November 6.

The winners of the four groups will qualify for the final.

"We preferred the format before, now there is no point in elaborating," Benneteau said. 

"The situation is what it is. 

"We have to adapt. 

"I think there are things to adapt in the preparation to be ready in this new configuration."

Benneteau, who will aim to continue his unbeaten run as French captain which includes lifting the trophy in 2019, insisted his team are ready to defend their crown prior to their opening match at the Finals against Canada tomorrow.

"Of course we have still some memories from this wonderful moment down there in Australia but now we are focused on this year and the event here in Prague and we are looking forward to start the competition on Monday and be ready for that," he said.

The event has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In February, it was confirmed the Finals would take place later in the year and in May it was moved from the Hungarian capital Budapest due to COVID-19 concerns before being awarded to Prague in August.

"We're very happy to be back all together, the players and the staff, because during these two years we didn't meet all together," Benneteau, an Olympic bronze medallist, added.

France and Canada are joined by the Russian Tennis Federation in Group A.

Group B features second seeds Australia, Belarus and Belgium, while the United States, Spain and Slovakia form Group C.

The Czech Republic, Germany and Switzerland will contest Group D.