Novak Djokovic & Rafael Nadal set to return for 2nd ATP Cup

World No. 1 & ATP Cup champion Novak Djokovic and runner-up Rafael Nadal will return to the season's opening men's team tennis event starting on February 1. However, due to a format change, the United States will be missing the tournament. 

A total of 24 teams participated in the inaugural competition last year and was played in three cities in Australia. Djokovic’s Serbian team defeated Nadal and Spain in the final at the Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney.

The second edition from February 1 to 5 will consist of 12 teams participating in the competition. It will be entirely played at Melbourne Park with WTA and ATP tournaments within the COVID-19 restrictions, in the week prior to the Australian Open.

The draw will be held on January 20, and the teams will be divided into four groups. The winner of each round-robin group will enter the semi-finals.

The ATP Cup Qualifying Tournament is based on the ranking of the top players in each country, and Australia is included in the wildcard entry. Other competing countries include Russia, Austria, Greece, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, and France.

All players arriving in Melbourne for the Australian Open must be quarantined for 14 days before postponing the start of the first Grand Slam match of the season. The Australian Open is usually held in the last two weeks of January, but due to travel and other restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been postponed to February 8-21.

Men's singles qualifier will take place in Doha, Qatar and the women's singles in Dubai, both from January 10 to 13.