Djokovic, Federer back new ATP Cup men's team event

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have backed a new men's team competition just a day after the Serbian raised concerns over the timing of the event, which will take place shortly after the revamped Davis Cup.

The ATP Cup, announced by the ATP and Tennis Australia on Thursday during the ATP Finals in London, will be played from 2020 across three Australian cities over 10 days in the lead-up to the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, which starts in January.

It will offer USD15 million (13.25 million euros) in prize money and up to 750 ATP Rankings points to the winners.

"I like that it's owned by ATP, by the players, and that we have ranking points, and it's going to be the best way to kickstart the season," said world number one Djokovic.

"More than 90 percent of the time we're playing as individuals and we don't have too many team events."
"The Davis Cup has incredibly rich history. You would think the players are going to play that. From that standpoint, I think there's not that much change, per se, or more tournaments on the calendar. It just happens that there's more team events, which I think the players are happy about."
"I honestly don't think it's good for the sport... It will happen that we will have two average events."
- Davis Cup fears -
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"One of them is the dates. I think the dates are very important and I think none of the top players will play, except Rafa (Rafael Nadal) because it's in Spain. I'm very, very sure that a lot of top players will not play. We'll see how it goes."