Redemption is one of the main driving factors for the Australian team at the inaugural ATP Cup, according to team captain Lleyton Hewitt.
Australia, who will stage the team competition across three cities, has been drawn in the same group as Canada, Germany and Greece. Some of the players they will have to take on include Dennis Shapovalov, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas. They will be lead in the competition by Alex de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios, who are both currently ranked in the world’s top 30.
One particular clash the Australian contingent are targeting is their meeting with Canada. Less than two months ago they lost to Shapovalov and Co in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup. Something Hewitt hopes to avenge next week.
“They [Australia] will be ready to go when they step on the court. [But] I think on paper it is the toughest group there is.” He told the Australian Associated Press.
“We didn’t get a lot of luck with the draw. Every match will be tough in Brisbane but I think it is a great preparation for their Australia Open.”
Talking about the calibre of players in Group F, Hewitt believes the upcoming matches will be a showcase of those who will be fighting for grand slam titles in the future when the reign of the Big Three comes to an end. Lending his full backing behind 20-year-old de Minaur, who is currently ranked 18th in the world.
“The group is full of the next generation of stars. These are the guys who will be fighting it out for the grand slams in the next five to 10 years,” Hewitt said.
“And I think Alex played some of his best tennis at the recent Davis Cup. He beat Shapovalov in one of the best matches I have seen two young players play in a long time. I am expecting Alex to step up again.”
It will be at the Queensland Tennis Center in Brisbane where Australia will play their group matches. A venue that previously staged the ATP Brisbane International, which both Hewitt and Kyrgios has won in the past.
The format of the competition, which has both ranking points and prize money up for grabs, is similar to that of the revamp Davis Cup. The winner of each group and the two best-scoring second placed teams will progress to the knockout stages.
The 10-day ATP Cup will officially get underway on January 3rd.
Australia’s group schedule
- Friday 3rd January – Germany from 17:30 (UTC+10)
- Sunday 5th January – Canada from 10:00 (UTC+10)
- Tuesday 7th January – Greece from 17:30 (UTC+10)
