Sadness for Serena if Hopman Cup ends
THIS year’s Hopman Cup is set to be the last one, and some of the world’s best players are going to be left disappointed.
The 31st edition of the mixed-teams tournament has been its best one, featuring record crowds and attracting worldwide interest when Serena Williams played mixed doubles against Roger Federer.
But the event appears doomed, due to the creation of a new ATP World Team Cup, which is set to be launched in Australia from January 2020.
The mens-only event will feature 24 teams and will be played across three cities, with Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney favoured to earn hosting rights.
The Hopman Cup’s future could be decided within weeks.
Williams, who has appeared at the Hopman Cup five times and is a two-time winner, said it would be “heartbreaking” if the event was scrapped. And 23-time grand slam winner Federer was also sad at the prospect the Hopman Cup would be no longer.
“I’m curious to find out myself what will happen,” said Federer, who has won the event a record three times.
“The players have always enjoyed this event, and let’s hope it continues in some way, shape or form.”
Federer led Switzerland to victory again this year, with him and Belinda Bencic beating Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber in the deciding mixed doubles.