Star-studded teams heading to Australia for ATP Cup

The ATP Cup 2020 Official Draw was conducted under the sails of the iconic Sydney Opera House in New South Wales today.

Four Australian former world No.1s Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe, Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt took part in the Official Draw proceedings.

The draw revealed where the first 19 countries will play in 2020.

“In all of the conversations we’ve had with the players, right from the beginning, they have said this is their event. They want to play it. They want to make it work,” Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said.

“There’s a lot at stake. There is more than $US15 million in prizemoney and 750 ranking points – that’s up there amongst the highest of all of the events in tennis. But also it’s the launch of the season and they want to test out where they’re at. They’re playing for their country and with their mates. That’s what’s going to be such a special experience for the players and the fans.

“You can’t really go wrong with the players who have signed up, 10 of the top 10, 27 of the top 30, pretty much all of the top 100 players. I’m pretty sure the match-ups are going to be good.”

Managing Director, ATP Cup and Chief Player Officer Ross Hutchins said, “For us, this is a new major season launch event for men’s tennis.

"We are going to show great dynamism, we are going to be vibrant, we are going to have all of the best players in the world. We can’t wait for January 2020.”

In Brisbane, Serbia’s world No.1 Novak Djokovic will lead Group A, and Germany, as the sixth ranked team featuring Alexander Zverev, will lead Group F.

Australia as the host wildcard have also been drawn into Group F.

Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said Djokovic would draw thousands of fans to the event.

“Novak Djokovic is not only the best male tennis player in the world, but one of the greatest players to ever live. To have him playing in Brisbane will bring thousands of people to Queensland,” Jones said.

In Perth, US Open champion Rafael Nadal will lead Spain in Group B and Russia’s world No.4 Daniil Medvedev sits in Group D.

"All eyes will be on Perth when Rafael Nadal takes the court at RAC Arena,” WA Premier Mark McGowan said.

"The ATP Cup is set to be a stunning success for our State on so many levels.

"Western Australians love their tennis, so we expect this new tournament will have huge appeal for locals as well as visitors."

Sydney will host Switzerland, led by world No.3 Roger Federer in Group C, and Austria’s world No.5 Dominic Thiem in Group E.

NSW Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said Sydney will provide the perfect location for both the group stages and finals of the ATP Cup.

“I am delighted our beautiful Harbour City will play such a key role in this fantastic new initiative, which will attract not only the world’s best tennis players, but visitors from right across the globe,” Ayres said.

“With the upgrades to Ken Rosewall Arena, which include a brand-new canopy roof structure, Sydney is more than ready to showcase both the group and finals stages of this world-class tournament.”

ATP CUP 2020 DRAW

BRISBANE

GROUP A GROUP F

Serbia Germany

France Greece

South Africa Canada

TBD Australia

PERTH

GROUP B GROUP D

Spain Russia

Japan Italy

Georgia USA

TBD TBD

SYDNEY

GROUP C GROUP E

Switzerland Austria

Belgium Croatia

Great Britain Argentina

TBD TBD

Five further countries will qualify, on the second entry deadline of 13 November, for the 24-country ATP Cup based on the ranking of their No.1 singles player.

Eight countries that win through the group stages in the three host cities will then play at the ATP Cup Final Eight in Sydney, which will feature quarterfinals over two days, semifinals and a final.

TENNIS STARS HEADING TO AUSTRALIA FOR ATP CUP