Multiple grand slam champions Serena Williams and Roger Federer are set to return to Perth at the start of 2019 to play in the annual Hopman Cup.
Recent US Open finalist Williams will play in the event for the first time since 2016. The American has effectively ended her season early after pulling out of this week’s China Open in Beijing. Williams will play in the mixed team competition alongside world No.41 Frances Tiafoe. Earlier this year the 20-year-old won his first ATP title at the Delray Beach Open.
“I always enjoy playing in Western Australia in front of the crowd at Perth Arena. The Aussie fans are so warm and supportive and the Hopman Cup always gives me a great start to the season, especially ahead of the Australian Open,” Williams told hopmancup.com.
“I haven’t played with Frances in mixed doubles before, but have watched him from a far this year. He has a very bright future and I’m looking forward to being on court with him, it will be a lot of fun.”
37-year-old Federer will once again team up with Belinda Bencic in a bid to win the tournament for a second consecutive year. In January Switzerland defeated Germany (Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev) 2-1 in the final.
The 2019 tournament will feature the clash between America and Switzerland on New Year’s Day. It will be the first time that tennis titans Williams and Federer have faced each other on the court. The Hopman Cup ties features two singles matches and one in the mixed doubles.
“The Mastercard Hopman Cup will welcome two of the greatest tennis players in history to Western Australia in 2019,” tournament director Paul Kilderry said.
“In total we will have four Grand Slam singles champions, three top 10 players and eight top 20 players.” He added.
A total of eight teams will play in the 31st edition of the exhibition event. Other entrants include Ashleigh Barty and Matthew Ebden representing the home nation. Australia has only won the Hopman Cup twice with the last occurring in 2016.
“I’m really excited to be back at the Hopman Cup,” Barty said.
“The fans are amazing and Perth Arena is phenomenal. It’s one of my favourite courts around Australia. The fans are passionate, they love their sport, and I think it’s the perfect preparation leading into the Australian Open.”
David Ferrer and Garbine Muguruza will join forces for the first time. Ferrer is set to officially retire from tennis next year during the European clay-court season. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari will be only the second Greek team to play in the Hopman Cup. Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter will represent Great Britain.
The Hopman Cup has a contract with Tennis Australia until 2022, but its future remains in serious doubt. Starting in 2020, the ATP will bring back the World Team Cup at the start of the year. The event will take place in Australia across different locations. Players will be attracted to the tournament, which has a prize money pool of AUS$20 million as well as ranking points up for grabs.
“We’ve got a contract through to 2022 with the government and our intent is to honour that contract,” Kilderry the the Australian Associated Press.
“The world of tennis is more political at the moment than I’ve ever seen in my 30 years of being around it.
“The Davis Cup has changed – there’s a lot of change at the moment. I don’t think anyone has a real clear outlook on it.
“We’ve just got to focus on this year’s event, have a great event and our intent is to honour the contract we have.”
The upbeat comments from Kilderry is by no means a reassurance about how much longer the Hopman Cup can last for. Perth has been mentioned about one of the possible locations for the new World Team Cup.
The Hopman Cup will take place between December 29th – January 5th.
2019 teams
Australia: Matt Ebden and Ash Barty
France: Lucas Pouille and Alize Cornet
Germany: Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber
Great Britain: Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter
Greece: Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari
Spain: David Ferrer and Garbine Muguruza
Switzerland: Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic
USA: Frances Tiafoe and Serena Williams
