Spain and Russia will be the headline teams at the inaugural ATP Cup in Perth from January 3 to 8 next year.
In a huge coup for Western Australia, current world number two Rafael Nadal will represent Spain in his first visit to the State.
US Open Men’s finalists, Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Russian Daniil Medvedev will represent their respective countries.
The line-up of countries was revealed today during the ATP Cup Official Draw, live streamed to the world.
Former Australian players, turned commentators Geoff Masters and Sam Groth joined Premier Mark McGowan and Tourism Minister Paul Papalia at Kings Park to mark the occasion, where it was revealed Perth would host top-ranked players from Japan (Kei Nishikori and Yoshihito Nishioka); Italy (Fabio Fognini and Matteo Berrettini); Georgia (Nikoloz Basilashvili and Aleksandre Metreveli); and the United States of America (John Isner and Taylor Fritz), with all matches to be played at RAC Arena.
Today’s official proceedings revealed the top 18 countries, plus Australia as the host country wildcard, to take part in the 24-country team competition and in what city out of Perth, Brisbane and Sydney they will play.
The remaining five teams will be drawn in November.
Confirmation of the countries heading to Perth is set to see demand for tickets soar, with tickets on sale via ATPCup.com on Wednesday (September 18).
The ATP Cup offers the world’s best players $A22 million in prize money as well as valuable ATP ranking points.
The State Government has secured the event for WA and is expecting thousands to travel to Western Australia to see tennis’ elite male players in action. The event will also be broadcast to a global audience.
For more information, visit the ATP Cup website at https://www.atpcup.com
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
“All eyes will be on Perth when Rafael Nadal takes the court at RAC Arena.
“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.”
Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:
“Rafael Nadal is synonymous with tennis and we are very excited to have Spain play here in Perth this summer alongside Russia’s Daniil Medvedev.
“We’re set to serve up some of the world’s best tennis and this team format means more top players than ever before will be heading here to battle it out for their country.
“It puts Perth firmly on the map for tennis fans who will also have the opportunity to witness the Australia’s Fed Cup Team up against France in the Fed Cup final in November.
“It’s fantastic timing to have also secured Japan in the draw, as we’ve just come off the back of launching the direct flights to Japan.
“It gives visitors from Japan another great reason to come to WA. They can experience our wonderful natural experiences, first-grade hospitality offerings and world-class tennis at the same time.”
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