Cup in big guns’ sights

NOVAK Djokovic and Rafael Nadal headline a blockbuster field committed to play in the ATP Cup ahead of next month’s Australian Open.

Only Roger Federer (knee) is missing from the top 15 for the round-robin team event, at Melbourne Park between February 1 and 5.

Djokovic’s Serbia and Nadal’s Spain were finalists in the inaugural ATP Cup last year, while Russia is the sole nation with multiple top-10 competitors via Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev. Djokovic’s 6-2 7-6 (7-4) win over Nadal helped Serbia to a 2-1 win.

Among the other headline acts are 2020 Australian Open finalist Dominic Thiem, popular Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas and Germany’s Alex Zverev.

The Canadians will also pack a punch, with Denis Shapovalov and Milos Raonic spearheading their chances.

Qualification for the 12team format is based on the ATP ranking of each country’s top-ranked singles player, but

Australia is in thanks to a host wildcard.

Each tie consists of two singles and one doubles rubber.

Alex de Minaur, John Millman and doubles combination John Peers and Luke Saville — one half of last year’s Australian Open runner-up team with Max Purcell — will represent Australia.

Nick Kyrgios isn’t in the squad, as Australia’s thirdranked singles player.

Kyrgios and third-ranked Russian Karen Khachanov will instead be major attractions at one of the ATP 250 tournaments at Melbourne Park in the same week.

ATP Cup tournament director Tom Larner said last year’s event was “a huge success” and expected the same the second time around.

“The players are looking forward to stepping up and representing their countries again, and the field, including defending champions Serbia and finalists Spain, is strong,” he said. “This is a format that shows off the passion of the players and we’re expecting some spectacular tennis action.”