Cool change for centre

THIS is the roof that will Sydney’s tennis worries in the shade... literally.

Ken Rosewall Arena has been served a makeover, including a striking all-weather roof, new video boards and 10,500 new seats have been installed in preparation for Australia’s first ever ATP Cup next year.

The 10-day men’s tournament replaces the Sydney International and will feature tennis stars from 24 countries, such as Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Competitors will play as teams for their respective countries for $22 million in prize money and 750 ATP points.

Group games will be shared across Sydney, Perth and Brisbane, and finals will be played out at the revamped Ken Rosewall Arena.

ATP Cup Sydney general manager Lawrence Robertson said the new tournament is Sydney’s best kept secret.

“I’m not sure the public have grasped just yet the extent of the changes that are coming to their summer of tennis,” Robertson said. “Previously it was a six-day combined event but now it’s a 10day event. Before, we were playing for a prize pot of $2 million, now we’re playing for $22 million.”

Robertson said a new competition was crucial to attracting marquee players ahead of the Australia Open.

“We needed to provide certainty around play and a point in the calendar gives them an opportunity to play before the Australian open,” Robertson said.

The Ken Rosewall Arena has been fitted with a striking new roof, which is designed to cope with both heat and rain.

The ATP Cup will be played January 3-12, 2020.