MercedesCup 2021: Nick Kyrgios confirms start, Zverev and Sinner are waiting for Paris
For the MercedesCup 2021 the green light has finally been given! Nick Kyrgios is sure to be there, Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner, depending on the tournament, in Roland Garros.
by PM / tennisnet
last edit: May 11, 2021, 10:36 am
"Due to the postponement of the French Open by a week and the associated overlap with the MercedesCup, some obstacles had to be cleared out of the way, but in the end there was a positive solution that was acceptable to all three parties," emphasizes tournament director Edwin Weindorfer, who also has already had talks in the gaming sector.
“Of course the situation with the French Open harbors some uncertainties, but we have received very positive signals from numerous players regarding a start at the MercedesCup. Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner will play at the Weissenhof in Paris if the tournament goes accordingly. The fact that Nick Kyrgios will serve in Stuttgart next June, however, is completely independent of what is happening at the French Open, as he will not compete there, ”explains Weindorfer.
"Nick Kyrgios one of the big train numbers"
The 26-year-old Australian made a name for himself not only as a brilliant tennis player, but also as an “enfant terrible” on the ATP tour - and last year he also had one or two verbal skirmishes with his colleagues about their behavior in pandemic times. Turf is the declared favorite surface of the winner of six ATP tournaments. Kyrgios also proved this in Stuttgart in 2018 when he only had to admit defeat to eventual winner Roger Federer in the tie-break of the third set in the semifinals after a dramatic course of the match. "Nick Kyrgios is one of the really big train numbers on the ATP tour, who, with his varied game and his unpredictability on the pitch, will certainly be one of the favorites at this year's MercedesCup," Weindorfer is convinced.
Due to the special situation surrounding the conflict of dates with the second week of the French Open, those responsible for the MercedesCup have made some "special agreements" with the ATP. There are five wildcards available for the main field instead of the usual three. In order to be able to react as quickly as possible to developments at the French Open, qualification begins on Monday, June 7th, 2021, and the main draw on Tuesday, June 8th, 2021.
Viewers question still open
“This is how we create the greatest possible flexibility for the players. We have made enormous efforts to prevent the Stuttgart tournament from being canceled two years in a row. We are now looking forward to opening the 2021 lawn season in Stuttgart and being the first stop on the way to the Grand Slam highlight at Wimbledon. We will make the best of the challenging situation and can promise one thing: The MercedesCup will again offer top lawn tennis this year, ”Weindorfer stated.
It is still open whether there will be spectators at the Weissenhof. Weindorfer: "Of course we very much hope that we can play in front of spectators, but for this question we are dependent on the development of the incidence values as well as the applicable requirements and approvals by the responsible authorities!"