Sydney Named As Host For Inaugural ATP Cup Finals In 2020
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), with help from Tennis Australia, will introduce a major new global event to challenge the International Tennis Federation’s Davis Cup.
With $22 million in prize money up for grabs, the ATP Cup is expected to host the likes of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the inaugural 24-nation competition.
Sydney has secured the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals of the ATP Cup for three years from 2020, with Brisbane and one other city to also host preliminary rounds.
Tennis Australia Chief Executive, Craig Tiley said: “with more than 100 players from 24 nations vying for $22 million in prize money and 750 ATP ranking points, the ATP Cup will help us launch the global tennis season every January in Australia.”
The new event will co-inside with $50.5 million worth of upgrades to Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre which includes a new roof on Ken Rosewall Arena and Court 1.
“The ATP Cup fits perfectly with our strategy to innovate and look towards the future,” ATP World Tour Executive Chairman & President, Chris Kermode added.
“We know from our extensive discussions with the players that the ATP Cup will provide a great way for them to open their season – bringing together the world’s best for a major team event that compliments existing scheduling, provides highly-coveted ATP ranking points and clearly links to the Australian Open.
“The first week of the season is when the players want to play and that’s why the tournament has their strong support.
“By staging the event with Tennis Australia, which is renowned for its experience as an outstanding event promoter, we know that the tournament will be a great success from year one.”
Tiley went on to say that Tennis Australia had a vision for the future of the Australian tennis summer which potentially includes a new women’s event.
“The timing is right for expansion. We want more players rewarded, more opportunities for them, more opportunities for fans to get to see them…more global exposure for the sport.
“A major step toward achieving that vision is to deliver world-class tennis to cities across Australia which is what the ATP Cup will do,” he said.
“It is the next piece in a vision that will ultimately grow tennis and provide inspiration for future generations.”
The inaugural ATP Cup will be held from January 3 to 12 next year.
