SYDNEY – Germany’s men’s tennis boss Michael Kohlmann does not believe in comparing the ATP Cup and the Davis Cup.
“The ATP Cup is practically an individual competition disguised as a team competition,” Kohlmann told the German press agency ahead of the start of the ATP Cup in Sydney on 1 January. For example, the boss of the German team in the ATP Cup has no influence on the team’s nomination. Instead, players register themselves for the competition, which will be held for the first time in 2020.
Zverev serves Sydney
For Germany, this time Olympic champions Alexander Zverev and Jan-Lenard Struff are going to open for two singles and Kevin Kravitz and Tim Putz for doubles. Yannick Hanfman serves as a substitute. Dominic Koefer, who is actually an integral part of the team, is going to the ATP tournament in Melbourne to gain practice ahead of the Australian Open. “If Alexander and Straffy say they all want to play singles, Dominic could only train here,” Kohlman said.
The German team will take on Great Britain on January 2. Other rivals are Canada and the USA. The winners of the four groups advance to the semi-finals.
Even though the Davis Cup is more important to Kohlman, he also wants to be successful with the team in the ATP Cup. “I think we have a good chance with this line-up,” Kohlman said. Most recently, Germany reached the final round of the Davis Cup – the semi-finals without Zverev.
