United Cup tournament director Stephen Farrow is confident the future of the event is rock solid despite the debate over the crowded tennis calendar and Saudi Arabia's interest in launching an ATP Masters event early in the season.
The $10 million mixed team tournament, the result of a partnership between Tennis Australia and the ATP and WTA tours, kicks off its third edition in Perth on Dec. 27, just 33 days after the Davis Cup finals conclude in Spain.
Farrow has sympathy with players like Carlos Alcaraz who have warned of an increase in injuries and burnout because of the long season, but said the field attracted by the United Cup suggested the late December start was not a major issue.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.