Sydney, Brisbane to host inaugural ATP Cup event

London: Australian cities of Sydney and Brisbane have been named as the hosting venues for the upcoming inaugural edition of the ATP Cup. The third city that would host the event is to be confirmed soon.

Making the announcement, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley revealed that the event would see the participation of more than 100 players from 24 nations every January in Australia.

“With more than 100 players from 24 nations vying for USD $15 million in prize money and 750 ATP Ranking points, the ATP Cup will help us launch the global tennis season every January in Australia,” ATP quoted Tiley, as saying.

Ahead of the event, Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre will have an upgradation of worth $50.5m which includes a new roof on Ken Rosewall Arena and Court 1. Brisbane, on the other hand, will expand its international tennis offering to include the ATP Cup and its existing WTA event.

Australian tennis player Nick Kygrios has expressed delight over the development and said that he is looking forward to the event.

“I’m super excited. For a chance to play with the boys I grew up with, like Thanasai [Kokkinakis], Jordan [Thompson] is something I’m really looking forward to. And now to see Alex [de Minaur] do so well, it’s going to be an awesome event. I know everyone on the Tour wants to be with their teammates.

There’s nothing better than playing for your country against the other best players in the world,” Kygrios said.

The ATP Cup is slated to hold its inaugural edition in 2020.

[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]