The ATP tour is back folks! And what a better way to start off the year than by hosting the ATP’s version of the Davis Cup and Laver Cup. In all seriousness though, this event may have some legs, and will probably be better than the lackluster Davis Cup which Spain won a month ago. For starters, this event will give out ATP points to the players. An undefeated player in singles can get up to 750 points. 

That’s not too shabby, considering that a win at a Masters 1000 tournament gives winners 1000 points. That’s not all either, there’s $15,000,000 in prize money being given out. This event will start on January 3rd and finish on Sunday January 12th. It will be played in three Australian cities – Brisbane, Perth and Sidney. 

There are 24 teams in all divided into six groups and each tie comprises of two singles and one doubles match. Only eight teams qualify for the quarterfinal, where the tournament becomes single elimination. This is a little bit like the World Cup! 

Nevertheless, it should be a great appetizer before the Australian Open, and also a lot of potential points given out in the first month of the year. Let it rain! 

So far, the confirmed entrants for the Cup are your usual suspects of who’s who in tennis. I for one am excited to finally see the duo of Medvedev and Khachanov give it a go against Serbia and Spain. Also, I’m excited to see the Spanish trio of Nadal, Bautista Agut and Carreno Busta and see if they can win another team event together.

As a dark horse, I’d pick France lead by Monfils, Paire and Simon. That team is tall, lanky and scrappy! Even more scrappy and dangerous will be the Australian team, led by a healthy Kyrgios and de Minaur. The Australian team has the talent to win the whole thing. 

If I was to pick a final, I would say it will be Spain against Australia, with Kyrgios playing the final rubber against Nadal, and providing a classic of a match!