ATP pressing ahead with plans for a new team competition
Mon Jul 02, 2018 03:28:pm Sports
3.2K By Obiaks Blog
The ATP is pressing ahead with plans for a new team competition in Australia in January in a move that casts into further doubt proposals to reform the Davis Cup.
In a statement, the governing body of men's tennis announced the approval of the ATP World Team Cup, in partnership with Tennis Australia, which is set to take place at the start of the season from January 2020.
With £11.35 million in prize money and ranking points available, it is clear the ATP intends to attract the best players.
ATP executive chairman and president Chris Kermode said: "We're delighted to have reached this outcome, which will change the landscape of the ATP World Tour.
"This event will enable us to kick off our season with a major team event, with minimal impact on existing player schedules at the start of year. We believe this outcome will deliver long-term sustainability, not only financially but also from a player health perspective, which is critical.
"The event has huge potential, and we now look forward to working together with Tennis Australia in bringing our vision to fruition."
Speaking to the BBC in March, Kermode said the ATP and International Tennis Federation staging rival events within six weeks of each other would be "insane", yet that could now happen.
Federations will vote at the ITF AGM in August on proposals to transform the Davis Cup, culminating in an 18-nation World Cup-style tournament at the end of the season in November.
The plans have been hugely controversial and the prospect of two major team tournaments so close to one another could make federations who were planning to vote for the proposals think again.
The ATP and ITF have been in discussions to try to resolve the issue yet this announcement puts the ATP very much in the box seat
SKYSPORTS
In a statement, the governing body of men's tennis announced the approval of the ATP World Team Cup, in partnership with Tennis Australia, which is set to take place at the start of the season from January 2020.
With £11.35 million in prize money and ranking points available, it is clear the ATP intends to attract the best players.
ATP executive chairman and president Chris Kermode said: "We're delighted to have reached this outcome, which will change the landscape of the ATP World Tour.
"This event will enable us to kick off our season with a major team event, with minimal impact on existing player schedules at the start of year. We believe this outcome will deliver long-term sustainability, not only financially but also from a player health perspective, which is critical.
"The event has huge potential, and we now look forward to working together with Tennis Australia in bringing our vision to fruition."
Speaking to the BBC in March, Kermode said the ATP and International Tennis Federation staging rival events within six weeks of each other would be "insane", yet that could now happen.
Federations will vote at the ITF AGM in August on proposals to transform the Davis Cup, culminating in an 18-nation World Cup-style tournament at the end of the season in November.
The plans have been hugely controversial and the prospect of two major team tournaments so close to one another could make federations who were planning to vote for the proposals think again.
The ATP and ITF have been in discussions to try to resolve the issue yet this announcement puts the ATP very much in the box seat
SKYSPORTS
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