Inactivity leaves Nick Kyrgios out of ATP Cup play

Nick Kyrgios has paid the price of a year without activity because of his concern about the coronavirus after being left out of the Australian team for ATP Cup after falling to 46th place in the ATP rankings after not playing on the ATP circuit for 11 months.

The 25-year-old tennis player played his last game in Acapulco in February and then decided to stay at home in Australia when the ATP Tour resumed after the hiatus in North America and Europe.

Each country participating in the ATP Cup has two places for individual matches that will be occupied by the two best players and in the case of Australia they will be led by Alex de Miñaur and John Millman, numbers 23 and 38 of the ATP ranking respectively. Both tennis players will be accompanied by the doubles pair formed by John Peers and Luke Saville, with whom Australia intends to improve the semifinals reached in last year's edition.

The ATP Cup will take place from February 1-5 in Melbourne before the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season, and the tournament will feature the presence of world number 1, Novak Djokovic, and number 2, Rafa Nadal.

“The players are eager to step up and represent their countries again on the court, including Serbia, the champions, and Spain, finalists last year, they bring strong teams, “said Tom Larner, tournament director, adding:” This is a format that shows the passion of the players and we look forward to a great tennis show. “The ATP Cup draw will be will be held on January 20.

Kyrgios, described as “polarizing” because of his track record of match scandals, was one of the architects of fundraising and awareness raising on Australia's fire fighting during last year's ATP Cup. He will now play the Melbourne 2 tournament, one of two ATP 250 events that run alongside the ATP Cup. Melbourne Park will also host two WTA 500 tournaments on those dates prior to the Australian Open.