LONDON: After almost five years of planning, the ATP have finally launched their latest team event in a bid to engage and increase interest in men’s tennis around the world. Although to say it is a smooth move is anything but true.
The ATP Cup will officially begin in 2020. Held at the start of each year in Australia, a total of 24 teams will participate in the round-robin competition. Held over 10 days, ties will consist of two singles and one doubles match. On offer will be a maximum of 750 ranking points for the winner as well as a mouthwatering prize money pool of $15 million. The tournament will be held across three cities, which are yet to be named.
“This is an event that we have been working on for about four-and-a-half years.” ATP CEO Chris Kermode told reporters In London on Thursday.
“When I took over at the ATP five years ago, we were looking at ways at how we can grow men’s tennis.
“We wanted to do a fresh and new event. We wanted to do something that was very vibrant and different, but equally, we wanted to start the season off with a bang.”
Only one nation can rule the world 🌏
The #ATPCup……….coming January 2020.
Which nation will you be backing? 👇 pic.twitter.com/JJcZQ1mxBf
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 15, 2018
It could be argued that the event has already gone off with a bang even before it was launched. With the International Tennis Federation accusing the governing body of men’s tennis that their team event threatens the Davis Cup, which has existed since 1900. Between 2019-2020 there will be just six weeks separating the two events.
“There seems to be a fixation that the ATP Cup has caused the issue with the Davis Cup and this is not the case.” Insists Kermode. “If the ATP Cup didn’t exist, the Davis Cup still wouldn’t have a week in the calendar. “
“We are open to ideas, and have thrown out some ideas and they will be discussed. I’m really confident down the line we will find a resolution.”
Star Supporters, but big headaches
To the relief of the ATP, their own players have come out in support of the brand new team event. During the presentation ceremony in London, there was an extensive video featuring numerous players speaking out in favor of the event. Although one notable absentee was Rafael Nadal for reasons that are unclear.
“It’s a great honor to be here (in London) for the launch of a great event,” said world No.1 Novak Djokovic. “Representing our country is a great privilege for all of us. Growing up we dream of having the color of our countries on our tracksuit.”
“It’s really nice to have a new fresh team event. The ATP Cup will kick-start the year in the best possible way on our terms.”
John Isner, who is making his debut at the season-ending championships this week for the first time, expressed similar sentiments.
“I can speak on behalf of all the American players ranked behind me, all of us players are united in support of this event.” He said.
The idea of unity portrays that everything is ok in the world of men’s tennis. The only issue is that that is far from the case. One puzzling concept about the ATP Cup is that teams will be ranked based on their top players. For countries like Spain and France, this makes sense. However what about Stefanos Tisitsipas? The Greek is No.15 in the world which will give his country a seeding. However, he is the only Greek ranked in the top 1200. Does this mean the no-names of the sport will have the chance to play for big points? Even more confusing is the ranking points.
“It’s incredibly complexed. We have looked at it to almost exhaustion.” Kermode admits. “It’s based on your individual results of who you play against. There is a potential to earn 750 points, but it is based on your performance.”
What about the other events?
Following his loss to Novak Djokovic at the O2 Arena on yesterday, Alexander Zverev took another swipe at the length of the calendar. Saying that he has been feeling unwell for the past two months because of the ‘ridiculous’ schedule.
The ATP has avoided the idea of reducing the length of the tennis season. When Challenged about their newest event, it was revealed that they looked at 18 different versions about when it could be played. Admitting that making the year longer was out of the question. Meanwhile at the same time staying silent about the possibility of reducing its length.
“The reason why we chose week one is because it isn’t additive to the calendar. If this new event didn’t exist, players will be playing anyway.“
When it comes to existing tournaments, it is unclear as to what will happen to the calendar in Australia. Craig Tiley, who is the head of Tennis Australia, has confirmed that some events will be abolished. Although he is refusing to name what ones at present.
“We got cities that may want to retain their tournaments. If they do, they will have an opportunity to do so. We have already been down the journey and talked with all of those cities.” Confirmed Tiley.
“We will make the right choices and the right cities. Some of the events will be replaced.”
Tiley has also insisted that it is possible that the three teams events (including the Laver Cup) can work. Contradicting Novak Djokovic’s previous suggestion that the tour might be working in a direction to condense them into one.
“Growing the platform and economics of our sport is on us. We know from a fan view that they love team events.” Said Tiley.
“I believe (having three team events) is sustainable. We will make sure in 2020 that we will run a great event and the same with the Davis Cup. “
The inaugural ATP Cup will take place during the first week of January. The Qatar Open will also take place during the same time for players who don’t want to participate or can’t qualify for the event.
It is almost certain that the inaugural ATP Cup will be a hit. However, the same certaincy can’t be said about the future landscape of men’s tennis.
