Despite smashing attendance records, the Hopman Cup has sadly come to an end after 31 years. The popular Perth sporting event will be replaced by the men’s only ATP Cup tournament.
[jwplayer o99oLBGu]
Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley officially announced the change on Thursday afternoon, revealing the new competition will consist of 24 teams from across the world and will run for 10 days in Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney.
Different stages of the competition will be hosted in different cities and while Perth will host the event for six days, Sydney will host the finals.
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan told reporters the decision was ultimately “outside the government’s control” but promised to work with Tennis Australia on a replacement women’s event.
Hopman Cup founder and tennis legend Paul McNamee said he was sad the tournament would no longer be in Perth but suggested it could go elsewhere.
“Nothing could’ve been embraced by the people of the city more than Hopman Cup in Perth, so my immediate feeling is sadness that it’s not going to be there anymore, and concern about where the Hopman Cup may be in the future,” he told the ABC.
Obviously end of an era for @hopmancup in Perth… massively fond memories, with contribution to building of @pertharena a real legacy. Good luck @TennisAustralia with the new event, and to @ITF finding a new home for Hopman where it can grow & fans also love it. Thank you WA ❤
— 🎗️ Paul McNamee (@PaulFMcNamee) March 28, 2019
McNamee also reflected on the 2019 Cup and that particularly delightful match in which Roger Federer and Serena Williams came face-to-face. Federer and his doubles partner Belinda Bencic defeated Williams and her teammate Frances Tiafoe 4-2, 4-3 (5-3).
The champ, such a dad, took a selfie after the match which immediately racked up the likes.
“If there was a sign off, or a signature to say well, bye bye Hopman Cup, it was the fact that probably the two greatest players in the history of the sport, Roger Federer and Serena Williams, went on court at the Perth Arena and went head-to-head,” McNamee said.
The ATP Cup is set to kick off on January 3 and continue until January 12, 2020.
Coming to Australia in January 2020…
Three cities, 24 teams, the best male players in the world – the ATP Cup will launch the global tennis season for the men. pic.twitter.com/1kgDdOAl4e
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) March 28, 2019
