Perth has been chosen as the third city to host the inaugural ATP Cup in January 2020, and the unique mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth will be axed after 31 years as reported by ABC on Thursday.
Two other cities chosen were Sydney and Brisbane –have already been announced in a revamp of the season-opening tennis calendar with Sydney hosting the knockout and final rounds.
“The ATP Cup will launch the global tennis season for the men. Four of the top 12 male players and 8 of the top 24, will play in Perth, with 24 teams competing across three cities – Perth, Sydney, and Brisbane”, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said on Thursday.
Paul McNamee, Hopman Cup founder, and former tennis player said that it was a sad day but left the door open for the tournament to possibly continue in a different location.
“It was indeed a wonderful event that was embraced by Perth. There is nothing more embraced by the people of Perth than the Hopman Cup. So my immediate feeling is sadness that it is not going to be there anymore and concern about where the Hopman Cup may be in the future.”
