Isner: 'The Timing Of The ATP Cup Is Perfect'

John Isner believes the timing of the ATP Cup is perfect, ahead of the inaugural edition that gets underway in the three Australian cities of Brisbane, Perth and Sydney on 3 January.

Isner leads Team United States in Group D in Perth, alongside Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek, in the 2020 ATP Tour season opener.

“I really think the timing of the ATP Cup is perfect,” said Isner. “And I can just speak of the enthusiasm of our team and the other players here in Perth and the other cities. We're all very excited to be a part of this first-ever event. I think that's the most important thing.

“The players are behind it. [It’s] a brand new event, unchartered territory for the ATP to have an event like this. So, to be a part of the first-ever edition of it, is pretty special. So, for the timing, for me, I like it a lot.”

Fritz, who lifted his first ATP Tour trophy at the Nature Valley International in Eastbourne in June, admitted: “I'm really excited to be here, especially in Perth… I was excited when they announced that we were going to be here in Perth. And, then, I'm just really excited to be playing another team event.

“In the past the team events have brought out the best tennis for me. I think there's just like more on the line and I'm playing for all these guys, it brings like a whole different energy to it for me. I'm definitely excited to get out there and play and hopefully win.”

Team United States captain David Macpherson, who coaches Isner and Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan, is also looking forward to the challenge of the ATP Cup.

“It's new territory for everybody,” said former ATP Tour pro Macpherson. “The situation of having the player box at the change of ends; it will be a chance to work with Taylor and be with him, which will be a first. And so that's always a challenge, I think, when you're the captain, or, in this situation, where you're working with players that you haven't worked with before so you are just trying to do the best job you can to communicate well and get the best out of them. Also, Austin and Rajeev, [it’s] my first opportunity to work with them.

“We don't get as many team events on the ATP Tour… You have that special feeling when you're part of a team and you're playing for a country, especially. So, I think even though they're quite close together, I think that whenever you're playing for a team, and especially for your country, you're fired up.

“Everyone is good mates, we get on well, we have had a great few days here already. I think we have all the bases covered, singles and doubles, we have great energy… I think everyone is very motivated. We're a nice tight-knit group and we're all pulling for each other and we're going to bring some big energy out there for during the matches.”

Team United States opens Group D group action against Team Norway in Perth at 10 a.m. local time on Friday at the RAC Arena. Fritz will play Norway’s Viktor Durasovic in the first singles match.

Isner, who will face Norway’s No. 1 Casper Ruud, said: “It's going to be a tough test against Norway. It goes without saying that we're probably the favourite on paper, but that doesn't mean anything. We're going to get their best shot. But we're certainly going to be prepared and going to be ready. I think practice has been great so far and all of us are liking the conditions, and just really enjoying our time in Perth and having a great time with it. So we're going to go out tomorrow and have a lot of fun.”

“I think I'm in a pretty good spot. I feel healthy right now. [I’m] very glad to feel that way and put in a lot of good work this off-season, I think, to get my body ready for the rigors of this 2020 season… Every tennis player enjoys coming down to Australia at the start of the year and I think we're the lucky ones that get to participate in this great event to kick it off.”

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/2MNMaA4