Sports news continues to make headlines on the Riviera. After the grand comeback of the Meeting Nikaia last June, it’s now the Hopman Cup’s turn to capture all the attention.
Initially created in 1989 in Perth, the famous mixed doubles competition by national teams has never been held outside Australian borders. With at least ten male or female players from the world’s top 20 and four from the top 10 according to the rankings of the last twelve months, the Hopman Cup brings together the cream of the crop each year. Appropriately, the last edition was won by the Swiss Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic. Unfortunately, after suddenly disappearing in 2019, the tournament is finally rising from its ashes by landing in Nice for at least the next five years. Indeed, the International Tennis Federation had issued a call for bids some time ago, won by the group Tennium, promoter of the event.
What format can we expect for the 2023 Hopman Cup? For the first time in its history, the competition will be played on clay courts, right in the heart of the Nice Lawn Tennis Club. The tournament will feature two groups of three national teams, followed by a final between the winning countries of each group. Each match will consist of a men’s singles, a women’s singles, and a mixed doubles. The event will take place over five days, from July 19 to 23 and will be broadcast in its entirety on the Hopman Cup TV Channel and the channels of the group L’Équipe (L’Équipe Live), the official broadcaster of the competition. 20,000 spectators are also expected throughout the week.
Carlos Alcaraz on his way, Alizé Cornet well present
Recent winner against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, the young number one in the world is expected in Nice this Friday. He will represent Spain alongside Rebeka Masarova, who replaces Paula Badosa, absent due to a backache. On the French side, Richard Gasquet and the local from Nice Alizé Cornet, recovered from her knee issues, will try to bring the title home.
However, France and Spain are not alone as Denmark can count on ATP No. 6, Holger Rune, and his compatriot Clara Tauson. David Goffin & Elise Mertens will represent Belgium, Croatia hopes to stand out with Borna Coric & Donna Vekic while Switzerland aims to defend its title with Leandro Riedi & Céline Naef, the young 18-year-old revelation, replacing the withdrawn Belinda Bencic.
Information & Schedule:
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Denmark – Switzerland: Center Court | 4:00 PM
- Clara Tauson (DEN) – Céline Naef (SUI)
- Holger Rune (DEN) – Leandro Riedi (SUI)
- Tauson/Rune (DEN) – Naef/Riedi (SUI)
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Denmark – France: Center Court | 4:00 PM
- Clara Tauson (DEN) – Alizé Cornet (FRA)
- Holger Rune (DEN) – Richard Gasquet (FRA)
- Tauson/Rune (DEN) – Cornet/Gasquet (FRA)
Belgium – Croatia: Court 1 | 4:00 PM
- Elise Mertens (BEL) – Donna Vekic (CRO)
- David Goffin (BEL) – Borna Coric (CRO)
- Mertens/Goffin (BEL) – Vekic/Coric (CRO)
Friday, July 21, 2023
Belgium – Spain: Center Court | 4:00 PM
- Elise Mertens (BEL) – Rebeka Masarova (ES)
- David Goffin (BEL) – Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)
- Mertens/Goffin (BEL) – Badosa/Alcaraz (ESP)
Switzerland – France: Court 1 | 4:00 PM
- Belinda Bencic (SUI) – Alizé Cornet (FRA)
- Leandro Riedi (SUI) – Richard Gasquet (FRA)
- Bencic/Riedi (SUI) – Cornet/Gasquet (FRA)
Saturday, July 22, 2023
Croatia – Spain: Center Court | 4:00 PM
- Donna Vekic (CRO) – Rebeka Masarova (ESP)
- Borna Coric (CRO) – Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)
- Vekic/Coric (CRO) – Badosa/Alcaraz (ESP)
Sunday, July 23, 2023
Final: Center Court | 4:00 PM
- Women’s singles
- Men’s singles
- Mixed doubles
Throughout the entire tournament, men’s singles matches will not start before 6:00 PM, and mixed doubles matches will not start before 8:30 PM.
Attention, no ticket sales will be available at the entrance; reservations are made exclusively online: hopmancup.com
There are still tickets available, so don’t waste a minute!
