The ATP Cup gave the tennis season a national-team start, bringing top men’s players together in Australia before the Australian Open. Played from 2020 to 2022, it mixed the atmosphere of international team tennis with ATP ranking points and a compact format built around singles and doubles.
Although it lasted only three editions, the event produced memorable runs for Serbia, Russia and Canada. Its history also helps explain why the United Cup now opens the Australian summer with both men’s and women’s players representing their countries.
Why the ATP Cup Was Created
The ATP announced the new tournament in 2018 as a men’s team event to be played in Australia at the start of the season. The first edition took place in January 2020. Its timing offered players a chance to prepare for the Australian Open while competing for their country, rather than beginning the year only in individual tournaments.
The ATP Cup also arrived during a period of change for team tennis. The Davis Cup had recently revised its format, while the Hopman Cup—a mixed team event held in Perth—did not take place in 2020. The ATP Cup had its own identity: it was an ATP-run men’s competition, offered ranking points, and spread matches across several Australian cities.
How the ATP Cup Format Worked
Each country-versus-country tie featured two singles matches and a doubles match. The singles were played first, with doubles used if the tie was still undecided. That meant a team could win through two strong singles performances, but a well-paired doubles team could also decide a close contest.
The format changed as the tournament developed. The 2020 debut included 24 countries divided into six groups. Matches were held in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney, and the group winners plus the two best runners-up advanced to the knockout rounds. COVID-19 disruption reduced the field to 12 teams in 2021. The final edition, in 2022, had 16 teams in four groups, with each group winner progressing to the semifinals.
| Edition | Teams | Host setup | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 24 | Brisbane, Perth and Sydney | Serbia | Spain |
| 2021 | 12 | Melbourne | Russia | Italy |
| 2022 | 16 | Sydney | Canada | Spain |
Players could earn ATP ranking points, with the amount depending on the round and the ranking of their opponent. That gave the event a different feel from some traditional team competitions: a national victory mattered, but individual results could also affect a player’s ranking.
ATP Cup Champions and Defining Moments
2020: Serbia wins a dramatic final
The inaugural tournament ended with Serbia beating Spain 2–1 in Sydney. The final brought Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal together in singles. Djokovic defeated Nadal, helping keep Serbia in the contest after Roberto Bautista Agut had given Spain a point by beating Dusan Lajovic.
The title came down to doubles. Djokovic teamed with Viktor Troicki to beat Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and Feliciano Lopez. It was a fitting finish for a format that asked star singles players to contribute beyond their usual individual matches. Serbia’s run showed how a team with a leading champion and dependable supporting players could thrive.
2021: Russia’s depth carries it to the title
The second edition was held in Melbourne, with the schedule and location shaped by pandemic restrictions. Russia defeated Italy in the final, 2–0, after Andrey Rublev beat Fabio Fognini and Daniil Medvedev defeated Matteo Berrettini. Russia did not need the deciding doubles match, but its strength across the singles lineup was clear.
That depth was important throughout the event. A team could not rely on one star to win every tie: two singles players were needed, and doubles remained available as a pressure point. Russia’s title run was a strong example of a balanced roster paying off.
2022: Canada claims the last ATP Cup
Canada became the final champion, defeating Spain 2–0 in the 2022 final in Sydney. Denis Shapovalov beat Pablo Carreno Busta, then Felix Auger-Aliassime overcame Roberto Bautista Agut to secure the title before doubles was needed. For Canada, it was a breakthrough team result built around two players who could both handle the leading singles role.
The win also gave the tournament a memorable closing chapter. Three different countries won the three editions, and each final highlighted a different route to success: Serbia’s dramatic doubles finish, Russia’s singles strength, and Canada’s two-match sweep.
Why the ATP Cup Ended
The 2022 tournament was the ATP Cup’s last edition. In 2023, the United Cup launched in Australia as a joint ATP and WTA team event, featuring men’s and women’s players representing the same countries. It took over a similar place in the early-season calendar, but it was a new competition rather than simply another ATP Cup edition.
The ATP Cup’s short run left a clear mark on the Australian tennis summer. It gave players a competitive team event before the first Grand Slam of the year, and its format made doubles a meaningful part of many ties. Its champions—Serbia, Russia and Canada—also reflect the value of a strong group rather than a single star alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the ATP Cup played?
The ATP Cup ran from 2020 through 2022. It was held in January, ahead of the Australian Open, though the 2021 schedule was adjusted during the COVID-19 period.
Who won the first ATP Cup?
Serbia won the inaugural edition in 2020, beating Spain 2–1 in the final. Novak Djokovic contributed in both singles and the deciding doubles match.
Who won the last ATP Cup?
Canada won the final edition in 2022. Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime each won a singles match against Spain in the final.
Did the United Cup replace the ATP Cup?
The United Cup followed the ATP Cup in Australia’s early-season calendar in 2023 and shares the idea of countries competing in a team event. It is a separate joint ATP and WTA tournament, with both men’s and women’s players taking part.
Final Thoughts
The ATP Cup was brief, but it offered a distinctive blend of national pride, ranking points and team tactics. Its three editions delivered three different champions and several high-stakes singles and doubles matches. Today, its history provides useful context for understanding how team tennis became part of the modern Australian summer schedule.
