Forum fanów tenisa ziemnego, gdzie znajdziesz komentarze internautów, wyniki, skróty spotkań, statystyki, materiały prasowe, typery i inne informacje o turniejach ATP i WTA.
Kafelnikov & Safin: ATP Cup Victory Could Spark Banner Year For Russians
Spoiler:
Former World No. 1s discuss inaugural event
The ATP Cup is more than a star-filled competition to kick off the 2020 season. Former Russian stalwarts Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin, who both won the Australian Open and reached No. 1 in the ATP Rankings, believe that immediate success in Australia could shape career-defining seasons for the members of Team Russia.
“It’s very important. The way my year in Australia went was often how the rest of the year went,” Kafelnikov said. “Getting to the final or winning the event could help make their year.”
Team captain Safin looks to help guide Russia past Italy, the United States and Norway in Group D action in Perth. World No. 5 Daniil Medvedev and World No. 17 Karen Khachanov will suit up for singles on the Russian squad that also includes Teymuraz Gabashvili, Ivan Nedelko and Konstantin Kravchuk.
Having prevailed in Melbourne in 2005, Safin knows what it takes to succeed Down Under. He believes that being surrounded by the world’s best players is an ideal way to begin the year and the round- robin format will aid in quickly removing any off-season rust.
“It's a perfect setup for this event at the beginning of the year. All the guys are already in Australia and they want to start with a good step in the new year,” Safin said. “You are guaranteed three matches and you have two groups playing in the same spot, so you have a chance to practise day and night to get ready for the beginning of the season. To win with your team at the beginning of the year, I think it’s pretty cool.”
You May Also Like: How Tsitsipas, Following In Sampras' Footsteps, Is Inspiring Greece
All eyes will be on Medvedev, who picked up more tour-level wins (59) than anyone in 2019. The Russian's magical run in the second half of the year included his first two ATP Masters 1000 titles in Cincinnati (d. Goffin) and Shanghai (d. Zverev), in addition to a maiden crown on home soil at the St. Petersburg Open (d. Coric) and debut Grand Slam final at the US Open (l. to Nadal). His inspired play fittingly led to a debut appearance at the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals.
Now that Medvedev has elevated himself to the highest echelon of the sport, Kafelnikov wants to see him stay there. The 1999 Australian Open champion admired Medvedev’s mental fortitude against the world’s best this year and said maintaining it will be essential as he looks to break into the Top 3.
“The confidence level was very good this year. He believed he could beat top players and that’s why he got these results,” Kafelnikov said. “If he can repeat that success next year, he’ll be along that elite row.”
Buy Tickets At Official Tournament Website, ATPCup.com
Kafelnikov is also eager to see Khachanov continue to build on his powerful game. The 23-year-old made his Top 10 debut in July and reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final this year at Roland Garros. But what makes Kafelnikov most excited is that the rising Russian “can still improve his game in all areas”, yet is already capable of beating anyone when he’s in top form.
Kafelnikov and Safin both thrived on representing their country throughout their careers. Kafelnikov earned a gold medal in singles at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Both men know firsthand that team competitions can inspire players to elevate their games and are optimistic that the unique environment of the ATP Cup will help the Russian squad deliver their best tennis.
“We compete on a daily basis just for yourself, so playing for your country is a bit different,” Kafelnikov said. “I always had that spark playing for Russia, so hopefully they have the same when they go out there.”
The first ATP Cup is set for 3-12 January 2020
What is the ATP Cup?
The ATP Cup is an annual 24-country team competition featuring AU$22 million US$15 million prize money and a maximum of 750 singles and 250 doubles ATP Rankings points. ATP is staging the event in partnership with Tennis Australia.
When and where will it be played?
The ATP Cup will begin the ATP Tour each season, starting on the Friday before Week 1. The tournament will be a 10-day event finishing on the final Sunday of Week 1. The inaugural event in 2020 will be held from Friday 3 – Sunday 12 January. The ATP Cup will be played alongside an ATP 250 event in Doha that will occupy Week 1 of the calendar. The group stages competition will be hosted across three Australian cities - Brisbane, Perth and Sydney - over six days. Immediately following the group stages will be the Final Eight knockout stage – played over four days at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney.
How does the tournament work?
The 24 teams are divided into six groups of four for group stage, round-robin play. The six winners of each group and the two best second-placed finishers across the groups emerge to contest the Final Eight.
What is the format?
Each tie will comprise two singles and one doubles match. The country winning two matches wins the tie. Every country will be guaranteed to play three ties in the group stages. Singles will be best-of-three tie-break sets. Doubles will feature No-Ad scoring and a Match Tie-break in lieu of a third set.
What is the order of play?
There is a day session and an evening session each day per venue. The first singles matches will be played at 10am local time, starting with the No. 2 players in each tie, followed by the No. 1 players, with the doubles to follow. All doubles matches will be played regardless of whether the tie is decided after the two singles matches except if the final is decided after the two singles matches. In that event, the doubles will not be played.
How does a country qualify for the ATP Cup and which of its players get to play?
A minimum of three ATP ranked players, including two members with singles ATP Ranking points, are required for a country to be eligible to qualify. A country may have up to five players. If a team has five players, at least three must have an ATP Singles ranking. If less than five players, a team must have at least two players with an ATP Singles ranking.
How do entries work?
At the first entry deadline (13 September), the Top 18 countries in the ATP Cup Standings gained acceptance into the event based on the singles ATP Ranking of the country’s No. 1 singles player. The qualifying country’s second-highest-ranked singles player gained acceptance at the same time. Because it was not among the Top 18 teams, host country Australia was granted a wild card into the event. If either of the two accepted singles players drop outside their country’s top two ranked singles players at the second entry deadline (13 November), either player may withdraw from the event. Remaining team members (up to an additional three players) will gain acceptance at the 13 November entry deadline, based on the current ATP Rankings.
Rankings to be used for entries are the 52-week ATP Rankings. A Protected Ranking can be used to enter provided the player’s Protected Ranking is valid through the entry deadline for which he is eligible. Protected Ranking will not be used for team seeding.
At the second entry deadline (13 November), the remaining five countries (Nos. 20-24) will qualify and all qualified players from all teams will be committed.
A player who changes nationality after the entry deadline will not be eligible to play for his new country in the current year. A player may only play ATP Cup for one country during his career.
What happens if a No. 1 player withdraws after the first entry deadline and after countries have been placed into groups?
The team is withdrawn from the top 18 unless the No. 2 player’s singles ATP Ranking still qualifies the team in the original ATP rankings cut of the top 18. The country will be replaced in its specific group by the highest country that qualifies at the second entry deadline. The replaced country may re-enter for the second deadline as one of the final teams.
Can a No. 1 player who qualified his country at the first entry deadline lose his place in the team if his ATP Ranking falls below that of three or more other countrymen at the time of the second entry deadline?
No. If the player still wishes to be part of the team, he is guaranteed to be the No. 3 player in the team. However, the country’s two highest-ranked singles players at the time of the second entry deadline will remain as the top 2 singles players for the competition.
Is there a way for a country’s best young player to compete at the event?
Yes. A player born in 2001 or later has the opportunity to be included in the team if he enters and has a Top 500 ATP singles ranking or a Top 50 ITF junior ranking at the second entry deadline. The young player can displace a countryman if that player’s ATP Rankings fall outside the Top 500 for singles or Top 100 for doubles.
When will the teams be announced?
The Top 18 teams and Australia were announced 13 September. The remaining five teams will be announced at the 13 November deadline.
I want to see a particular player in action. When are they playing?
The format of ATP Cup provides fans the unique opportunity to buy tickets in advance with confidence that they can see a particular team play. The 19 countries which gained entry to the tournament were assigned to host cities and groups on 16 September, when the full group-stage schedule was announced. Groups and the daily schedules can be found at ATPCup.com.
The top two singles players from the 19 countries entered in the tournament are known. Those players are committed to playing the event unless overtaken in the ATP Rankings by a countryman at the time of the second entry deadline on 13 November.All members of the Top 10 on 13 September - including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer - and 27 of the Top 30 are entered.
The remaining five countries will be announced mid-November, along with the full playing list. Each tie involves match-ups of the two top-ranked singles players and the two second-ranked singles players, followed by doubles. Selection for those match-ups will be finalised 12 noon the day before the Tie.
Will there be a Wild Card team?
Yes. A wild card was awarded to the host country Australia because it did not qualify by ATP Rankings at the first entry deadline inside the Top 18 teams.
What are the ATP Cup Standings?
The ATP Cup Standings is a provisional entry list for the ATP Cup, ordered by the ATP Ranking (or Protected Ranking) of a country's highest-ranked singles player. ATP Cup Standings also show which players within each country would qualify for a place in their country’s team, subject to player entry rules.
When will the seedings and draw be made?
The locations, seeds and groupings for the Top 18 teams (plus Australia) were made 16 September. The remaining five teams to qualify will be drawn and announced soon after the second entry deadline using the 11 November ATP Rankings, with each additional team drawn at random to a group.
Will a Team Captain be assigned?
Each team will have a captain, selected by the No. 1 singles player in consultation with their team members. The No. 1 singles player will be the captain should one not be selected. The captain must be of the same nationality and meet one of the following criteria: be a Division I ATP player member, an ATP coach member or a qualified coach of a national federation. If a captain is requested that does not fulfill either criteria requirement, a request for an exemption can be made.
Is on-court coaching allowed?
Yes. Coaching will be permitted by the team captain, the competing player’s individual coach or fellow player team members. Coaching advice is not limited to changeovers and set breaks, but it shall not interfere with the speed of play.
Can a player play singles and doubles?
Yes. The team captain decides who plays doubles. The on-site ATP Ranking order must be respected for singles matches. For example, the No. 1 ranked player on a team based on on-site ATP Rankings at the start of the competition cannot play No. 2 singles. Protected Ranking will be considered the official ranking for line-up position.
POINTS & RANKING
What is the maximum number of points a player can earn?
Singles: An undefeated player who plays and wins all possible singles matches could earn 750 ATP Rankings points. Doubles: An undefeated player who plays and wins all possible doubles matches will earn 250 ATP Rankings points.
Who can earn points at this event?
All players will have the opportunity to earn ATP Rankings points and prize money.
How will be the points for each player be awarded in a team competition?
Singles: ATP Rankings points are awarded for a match win in each round and the amount of rankings points depends on the ranking of the opponent and the round of the result. Doubles: ATP Doubles Rankings points are awarded for a match win in each round and do not depend on the ranking of the opponents or the round of the result.
How will the ATP Cup points work in a player’s ranking?
ATP Cup will count as an additional event in a player’s rankings breakdown.
How much is the prize money?
The total player prize money is AU$22 million/US$15 million. There are three different components of total prize money awarded to players. This includes a participation fee, prize money for individual match wins and prize money for tie victories.
Prize Money (All figures in U.S. Dollars)
Total Prize Money: $15,000,000
Per Participation:
NO. 1 PLAYER
Entry Order Fee
1-3* $250,000
4-6* $225,000
7-12* $200,000
13-18* $150,000
19-24**^ $75,000
*Entry order (team) as of 13 September 2019
** Entry order (team) as of 13 November 2019
^ Top 20 player will receive $150,000
NO. 2 PLAYER
Ranking Fee
1-10 $200,000
11-20 $150,000
21-30 $75,000
31-50 $60,000
51-100 $45,000
101-200 $30,000
201-300 $20,000
301+ $15,000
Ranking as of date of entry of team
NOS. 3-5 PLAYER
Doubles Ranking Fee
1-20 $30,000
21-50 $20,000
51-100 $12,500
101-150 $10,000
151+ $7,500
Singles Ranking Fee
1-100 $20,000
101-300 $12,500
301+ $7,500
Ranking as of November 11, 2019
Per Individual Wins:
#1 Singles Win #2 Singles Win Doubles Win (per player)
Final Win $290,400 $204,000 $61,800
Semi-final Win $151,000 $106,000 $32,150
Quarter-final Win $78,350 $55,100 $16,700
Group Stage Win $39,400 $27,600 $8,375
Per Team Wins:
Per Player
Final Win $48,760
Semi-final Win $29,280
Quarter-final Win $17,620
Group Stage Win $9,850
All 3-5 players on the team (whether the player plays a match or not) earn the same amount for a team win.
ATP Ranking Points
Singles
Opponent Ranking 1-10 11-25 26-50 51-100 101+
Final 250 200 150 75 50
Semi-final Win 180 140 105 50 35
Quarter-final Win 120 100 75 35 25
Group Win 75 65 50 25 20
Maximum 750 points for undefeated player
Singles Player Ranked 301+
Opponent Ranking 1-100 101+
Final 85 55
Semi-final Win 55 35
Quarter-final Win 35 25
Group Win 25 15
Doubles
Win vs. Any Team
Final Win 80
Semi-final Win 75
Quarter-final Win 55
Group Stage Win 40
A maximum 250 points can be earned.
*All the above information is subject to change by the ATP rules and regulations.
Editor's Note: These FAQ were updated 23 October, 2019
Hawk-Eye technology will be implemented for all matches
After being successfully implemented at the Next Gen ATP Finals, Video Review will be used by officials at the inaugural ATP Cup, held throughout Australia from 3-12 January.
“The job for officials is to get things right in a match, so here’s another tool for that,” said Gayle David Bradshaw, Executive Vice President, ATP Rules & Competition. “There could be a lot riding on a judgement call. If they make a bad judgement and there’s a clear way to correct it, we’re all for it.”
The Video Review is delivered using Advanced Hawk-Eye technology. Players will be able to challenge judgement calls from the chair umpire such as Not-Ups, Foul Shots, Touches, Invasion, Through and Hindrance.* Each player is limited to three incorrect challenges during a set, but will receive an additional challenge if a set reaches 6-all.
When a reviewable call is challenged, the VR operator uses all available camera angles to find the best view of the incident. They will then send the video to a screen attached to the chair umpire’s chair. If the line review system is unable to make a determination, the chair umpire may review the call for clear evidence that confirms or overturns the call on the court. If there is no clear evidence, then the original decision stands.
Although Bradshaw expects the video review to be used sparingly in matches, he believes it’s a crucial component to ensure that incorrect calls don’t disrupt the flow of a match.
“Last year at Wimbledon, there was a point that a player won twice and ended up losing that point,” Bradshaw explained. “There was a double bounce that wasn’t called and then his opponent actually missed the shot he hit. They’re showing it on the television replays and you can clearly see that it was two bounces. In that case, having Video Review would have solved the whole issue.”
Video Review was in place, but not used by players, at the 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals. This past November in Milan, Casper Ruud called for the first-ever Video Review adjudication during his round-robin match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The historic moment took place at 30-all in the opening game, when chair umpire Fergus Murphy stopped the point and declared that Ruud’s lob touched the bottom of the jumbo screen. The Norwegian challenged the call, but the review showed that the call was correct.
Ruud's challenge was played out in real time to spectators at the Allianz Cloud on a large video board, in addition to fans watching the match on broadcast. Bradshaw believes that using technology to bring fans closer to the action will only help the sport in the future.
“[Umpires are] used to being under pressure, but now the spectators are seeing in real time the same video that the official sees to make the decision. This has huge potential for entertainment value for the fans,” said Bradshaw. “You don’t have that in American football or in soccer stadiums. We’ve taken it to another level in fan engagement.”
In addition to the ATP Cup, Video Review will be used in 2020 at the Next Gen ATP Finals and Nitto ATP Finals.
* Examples of incidents that would be subject to video review at the ATP Cup are:
• Not-Ups - double bounces
• Foul Shots - deliberate double hits or carry; or hitting the ball before it has passed the net; the ball, prior to bouncing, hits a permanent fixture; or the racquet is not in the player's hand when touched by the ball.
• Touches - ball skimming racquet, clothing or body; or if a player, or anything he is wearing or carrying, touches the net, net posts/singles sticks while the ball is still in play.
• Invasion - when the player, or anything he is wearing or carrying, touches the opponent's side of the court while the ball is in play.
• Hindrance - decisions on whether a point should be awarded or the point should be replayed. The most common use of this would be a call corrected from out to good and whether the player had a play on the ball.
“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”- Rafa Nadal
"There are other tournaments in which I would like to win. However, in the end, trophies are just pieces of metal. The main thing that I took from tennis is love. She will remain with me forever, and I am sincerely grateful for this “ - David Ferrer
ATP Cup: Captain Roig Praises Nadal & 'Spectacular' Spanish Team
Spoiler:
Nadal's coach seeks to guide Spain out of Group B in Perth
"Hey, I have to choose the captain because it’s up to each team’s No. 1 player. Would you like to do it?"
"Of course! If you want me to do it, I’d be delighted. Go for it."
The brief conversation between Rafael Nadal and Francisco Roig was all it took for Roig to be chosen as the captain of Team Spain at the ATP Cup, held throughout Australia from 3-12 January. Roig, who has been coaching the World No. 1 in the ATP Rankings since 2005, will look to help lead his team to victory in the inaugural event. Spain is part of Group B in Perth, which also features Japan, Georgia and Uruguay.
“It’s a new competition”, Roig said. "I played in the World Team Cup, which took place in Dusseldorf (in 1975 and 1978-2012) and also had two singles matches and a doubles match for each tie. Nobody has experienced this new event, but I can imagine it a little bit.
“The way they’ve promoted it has been incredible. You only have to look at the way the ATP and Tennis Australia are organising everything. It’s quite a show. I’m sure it will be very good. My job is to make sure that everyone is ready, organise the training sessions and look for a good doubles partnership.”
Roig will have an exceptional team to work with. In addition to Nadal, Spain’s lineup features Roberto Bautista Agut (No. 9), Pablo Carreno Busta (No. 27), Albert Ramos-Vinolas (No. 41) and Feliciano Lopez (No. 55 in the ATP Doubles Rankings).
You May Also Like: Bautista Agut On First Meeting Nadal: 'He Was Already Showing The Champion He Is'
"There are lot of tough teams and you’re out if you don’t play well, but I’m happy with the group we have,” Roig said. “The team we’re taking is spectacular. It’s a competition in which you’re always wary of a small mistake that could knock you out, but obviously Spain is among the favourites. There are difficult teams and the margin for error is small, but I’m confident we can play well enough to reach [the Final Eight in] Sydney. I’m optimistic that we can have a good tournament”.
Spain starts with a huge advantage by having Nadal in their lineup. The 33-year-old clinched year-end No. 1 for the fifth time after a memorable 2019 season. Nadal prevailed at Roland Garros (d. Thiem) and the US Open (d. Medvedev), in addition to taking ATP Masters 1000 titles at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia (d. Djokovic) and the Coupe Rogers (d. Medvedev).
Roig joined Nadal for a few days of his pre-season at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca and was pleased with what he witnessed.
“Rafa is spectacular,” Roig said, “He’s found some very good form. He’s feeling confident in the way he is playing and his serve is really helping him. I think Nadal looks great. Now it’s a question of maintaining his game.”
2015: Tokio
2016: Rio de Janeiro, Indian Wells, Waszyngton, Chengdu, WTF
2017: Doha, Sydney, Dubaj, Miami, Marrakesz, Estoril, s-Hertogenbosch
2018: Barcelona,Winston-Salem,Sztokholm, Paryż-Bercy,
2019: Dubaj, Miami, Monachium, Kitzbühel, St. Petersburg, WTF
2020: Adelaide, Rzym
2022: Adelaide 1, Australian Open, Rzym, Halle
2023: Indian Wells, Miami, Barcelona, US Open, WTF
2024: Wimbledon, Winston-Salem
2015: Kuala Lumpur
2016: Queens, Sankt Petersburg
2017: Waszyngton, Winston-Salem, US Open, Sankt Petersburg, WTF
2018: Doha, Miami, Hamburg,
2019: Eastbourne, US Open,
2020: RG, Sofia
2021: ATP Cup
2022: Stuttgart, Eastbourne, Winston-Salem, Florencja
2023: Montpellier, Rzym, Atlanta
2024: Mallorca
MTT (DEBEL) - Tytuły (7) / Finały (7)
2019: RG, Cincinnati, Paryż-Bercy, WTF
2020: RG, US Open
2021: Rzym
2018: WTF
2019: Indian Wells, Madryt
2020: Australian Open
2021: Australian Open, RG, Paryż-Bercy
2015: Tokio
2016: Rio de Janeiro, Indian Wells, Waszyngton, Chengdu, WTF
2017: Doha, Sydney, Dubaj, Miami, Marrakesz, Estoril, s-Hertogenbosch
2018: Barcelona,Winston-Salem,Sztokholm, Paryż-Bercy,
2019: Dubaj, Miami, Monachium, Kitzbühel, St. Petersburg, WTF
2020: Adelaide, Rzym
2022: Adelaide 1, Australian Open, Rzym, Halle
2023: Indian Wells, Miami, Barcelona, US Open, WTF
2024: Wimbledon, Winston-Salem
2015: Kuala Lumpur
2016: Queens, Sankt Petersburg
2017: Waszyngton, Winston-Salem, US Open, Sankt Petersburg, WTF
2018: Doha, Miami, Hamburg,
2019: Eastbourne, US Open,
2020: RG, Sofia
2021: ATP Cup
2022: Stuttgart, Eastbourne, Winston-Salem, Florencja
2023: Montpellier, Rzym, Atlanta
2024: Mallorca
MTT (DEBEL) - Tytuły (7) / Finały (7)
2019: RG, Cincinnati, Paryż-Bercy, WTF
2020: RG, US Open
2021: Rzym
2018: WTF
2019: Indian Wells, Madryt
2020: Australian Open
2021: Australian Open, RG, Paryż-Bercy
2015: Tokio
2016: Rio de Janeiro, Indian Wells, Waszyngton, Chengdu, WTF
2017: Doha, Sydney, Dubaj, Miami, Marrakesz, Estoril, s-Hertogenbosch
2018: Barcelona,Winston-Salem,Sztokholm, Paryż-Bercy,
2019: Dubaj, Miami, Monachium, Kitzbühel, St. Petersburg, WTF
2020: Adelaide, Rzym
2022: Adelaide 1, Australian Open, Rzym, Halle
2023: Indian Wells, Miami, Barcelona, US Open, WTF
2024: Wimbledon, Winston-Salem
2015: Kuala Lumpur
2016: Queens, Sankt Petersburg
2017: Waszyngton, Winston-Salem, US Open, Sankt Petersburg, WTF
2018: Doha, Miami, Hamburg,
2019: Eastbourne, US Open,
2020: RG, Sofia
2021: ATP Cup
2022: Stuttgart, Eastbourne, Winston-Salem, Florencja
2023: Montpellier, Rzym, Atlanta
2024: Mallorca
MTT (DEBEL) - Tytuły (7) / Finały (7)
2019: RG, Cincinnati, Paryż-Bercy, WTF
2020: RG, US Open
2021: Rzym
2018: WTF
2019: Indian Wells, Madryt
2020: Australian Open
2021: Australian Open, RG, Paryż-Bercy
