ATP Cup 2021: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal lead field, but how does it work and when’s the draw?

The groups for the second version of the ATP Cup have been introduced, with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem amongst these concerned.

The match was received by Djokovic’s Serbia in 2020 and shall be held this yr solely in Melbourne, having been performed in three Australian cities final yr.

Right here’s all it’s good to know in regards to the 2021 ATP Cup, together with the schedule, format, groups and qualification…

The 2021 ATP Cup shall be performed from February 1-5 in Melbourne and is about to be attended by followers within the stands.

There shall be 12 international locations (lowered from 24 final yr) competing for the trophy, with every nation placing ahead 4 gamers (two singles and a doubles pair) for his or her staff. Qualification for the match relies on every nation’s top-ranked singles participant whereas singles rankings decide the 2 gamers chosen by every nation.

Australia earn a wild card place as hosts however Nice Britain and the USA are among the many international locations to overlook out on a spot as a result of lowered format.

The match will characteristic 14 of the highest 15 gamers within the ATP rankings, together with Djokovic, Nadal, Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Roger Federer is the one participant within the high 15 to not characteristic as he recovers from damage whereas Nick Kyrgios shouldn’t be enjoying for Australia as he has slipped down the rankings following almost a yr out. World No 20 Karen Khachanov and No 21 Felix Auger-Aliassime additionally miss out.

The draw will happen on January 20, when groups shall be divided into 4 teams.

The groups will then face off towards the opposite groups of their teams with ties consisting of two singles matches and one doubles match. Whoever wins two of the three matches wins the tie.

The winners from every group will advance to the quarter-finals, together with the 2 greatest second place groups.

The semi-finals shall be held on February 4 and the ultimate on February 5, with the Australian Open as a consequence of begin in Melbourne on February 8.

There aren’t any totally different guidelines, however the staff format creates a full of life environment, with gamers cheering one another on from the sidelines and on-court teaching allowed.

Final yr there have been digital units the place the groups have been sitting which allowed them to have a look at real-time statistics, resembling the place every participant was serving, and so they might then feed the knowledge again to the participant on courtroom.

Gamers appeared to like the format with Nice Britain’s Jamie Murray calling it “completely distinctive” and Greece’s Tsitsipas additionally an enormous fan.

“I can not image something higher than this proper now,” mentioned Tsitsipas. “There hasn’t been an occasion which attracts a lot consideration just like the ATP Cup. For me, it is an additional honour to be sharing the courtroom with and giving the chance to my fellow tennis gamers from the identical nation and giving me the chance to witness this and play in an enormous stage.”

Doubles characteristic no-ad scoring and a match tie-break (first to 10 factors) as an alternative of a 3rd set.

Australia made the headlines early within the match with Kyrgios impressing in singles after which teaming up with Alex de Minaur in doubles to assist eradicate Nice Britain within the quarter-finals.

However the Aussies couldn’t high Spain within the semis as Nadal battled again from a set right down to beat De Minaur and seal a spot within the last. Serbia noticed off Russia within the different semi-final and Djokovic then stepped up within the last as he beat Nadal and partnered Viktor Troicki to a decisive win within the doubles.

Serbia and Spain shall be among the many favourites once more because of the presence of Djokovic and Nadal, however there are another sturdy groups. Canada have Milos Raonic and Denis Shapavalov of their line-up whereas Russia have world No 4 Medvedev and world No 8 Andrey Rublev. Greece may have their work reduce out as world No 5 Tsitsipas is joined by his brother Petros, ranked 960 on the planet, world No 458 Michail Pervolarakis, and world No 736 Markos Kalovelonis.

ATP Cup managing director Ross Hutchins: “Enjoying as a staff, for one’s nation, is a uncommon privilege in tennis which brings the most effective out of our gamers. This was highlighted by the unimaginable matches and camaraderie on show ultimately yr’s inaugural ATP Cup. We wish to thank our companions, Tennis Australia, for his or her dedication and dedication to staging this yr’s match, which guarantees to ship a powerful begin to the brand new 2021 season. We can not await tennis followers all over the world to once more share within the pleasure and power of this particular occasion.”