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Belinda Bencic and Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrate winning the mixed doubles match against Serena Williams and Frances Tiafoe of the United States during day four of the 2019 Hopman Cup at RAC Arena on January 01, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
via Getty
Belinda Bencic and Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrate winning the mixed doubles match against Serena Williams and Frances Tiafoe of the United States during day four of the 2019 Hopman Cup at RAC Arena on January 01, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
The Hopman Cup is set to make a comeback in 2022, as the event was scrapped in 2020 and 2021. Hopman Cup is a competition between mixed doubles pairs of countries, played on indoor hard courts. The event used to take place in Perth every year from 1989 to 2019. However, the location will change to somewhere in Europe in 2022.
In 2020, the ATP Cup replaced the Hopman Cup. However, following the success of the mixed doubles events in Tokyo, the ITF has decided to pull back one of its events.
via Getty
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 02: Ana Ivanovic and Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrate winning the mixed doubles match against Ashleigh Barty and Bernard Tomic of Australia during day five of the Hopman Cup at Perth Arena on January 2, 2013 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
We want to bring that back: Dave Haggerty on Hopman Cup’s return
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Hopman Cup took place for 30 years in Perth and was a success amongst the players and fans. However, the ATP Cup replaced the event in 2020, a tournament between countries only for men’s events. The ATP Cup takes place on an indoor hard court as well and was held in three cities across Australia.
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However, after the success of the mixed doubles events at the Tokyo Olympics, Dave Haggerty decided to call back one of his finest tournaments. “We want to bring the Hopman Cup back because we love to have men and women playing together in an event. Most likely it would be in Europe. Within the next two weeks we will announce a decision,” said Dave Haggerty in an interview with Tennis Majors.
The ITF President is excited to bring back the format on the table, as it was a hit amongst the big players. Players like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and others approved the tournament of being a success.
.@rogerfederer on playing #HopmanCup ahead of the @AustralianOpen 🙌
"I think it's a good way for me to just feel good, play well. Team environment, you know, with Belinda, as well. I enjoy playing the mixed, as well. The stadium feels great. The crowds are unbelievable." pic.twitter.com/T7SwNgiIEX
— Hopman Cup (@hopmancup) January 13, 2019
The importance of the Hopman Cup
Dave Haggerty wants to bring back the variation of making men and women play together. The tournament was a great start at the beginning of the year, as it gave an impetus towards the other events.
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“It always has been a way for the players to begin the year, to be guaranteed three matches in their first competition. In the last Hopman Cup event we had Roger and Serena, who never played each other before. And you had a full stadium, completely packed, almost 23.000 people. “
“The average tennis player plays more doubles than they do singles. The social aspect of mixed doubles, men and women, we just think makes a lot of sense,” said Haggerty.
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Tennis fans will be eagerly waiting for the details of the tournament, beginning in 2022.
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