The ATP Cup is about to have its 2nd instalment after a very exciting inaugural event last year where Team Serbia reigned victorious. Much has changed in the last 12 months though, with Covid throwing the tennis world for a loop. Now, with all the players involved in a 2 week quarantine heading into the ATP cup, which teams are looking the best?

Here is our rankings of

Team Strength - based on top 2 players (due to uncertainty of who will be there for doubles based on Covid complications & what the doubles teams will actually be. Don’t @ us. Actually, do @ us, because we love engagement lol)
Group Strength

The 2021 ATP Cup will begin on Feb 2nd, 2021 in Melbourne.

Team Power Rankings

1. Russia

The Russian team of Medvedev (#4) and Rublev (#8) have the lowest combined ranking of any team (top 2 players) in the ATP Cup 2021. Both men also finished 2020 with absolutely terrifying levels of form. It’s hard to put anyone ahead of this team.

Their only weakness could be if a tie was forced to the doubles match where I am unsure of Medwed and Andrey’s doubles chemistry, thought they do have GOAT slayer Evgeny Donskoy as a doubles option, so that could be a secret weapon.

2. Spain

Nadal and Roberto Bautista-Agut is maybe the most veteran team of the 12. Absolute pros. What RBA lacks in resume compared with Nadal, he makes up for in being a hard-court specialist, making him a fantastic #2. It’s hard to bet against this pair in any matchup with any team. Putting them at #2 in our rankings seems like a fair spot.

3. Serbia

Although it may seem weird to put the defending champions in 3rd place in the power rankings, It doesn’t mean they can’t win this thing again. They have Novak Djokovic. Even thought Dusan Lajovic played like a stud last year, I have a hard time believing he would beat RBA or Rublev or Raonic if it came down to those singles matches against other teams #2. Prove me wrong Dusan!

4. Canada

The Canadian boys have more experience and firepower with (friend of The Slice) Milos Raonic as the #2. Milos was Canada’s best player in 2020, and he had a great 2020 with health and form. The 1-2 punch of Shapo and Milos is almost as potent as it gets in this field, and they will be a tough out for anyone.

5. Italy

Don’t underestimate the Italians at the 2021 ATP Cup. Berrettini is unbelievably dangerous on hardcourt and Fognini can get hot enough to burn anyone. Their weakness is in their doubles probably, but that is yet to be seen!

6. Australia

Both De Minaur and Millman are tough competitors who are never an easy out. Both have experience playing Davis cup together as well, so I think their chemistry and fight boosts them above their skills in this setting. The doubles team for Peers/Saville is also nasty.

7. Germany

Zverev and Struff both have some similar characteristics: firepower and inconsistency. If this ranking is accurate, it will be because one or both of them don’t play at the level we know they can. Team Germany could easily do much better though, if both men step up to the plate. Only time will tell!

8. France

Monfils and Paire - two of the most entertaining and inconsistent top players in the world. Their level in this tournament will depend on their buy in, and passion for it. My expectations are not huge, but my hopes are that we see some jaw-dropping displays from the Frenchmen.

9. Austria

Having Dominic Thiem - arguably the best player on earth on any given day - as your #1 makes any team dangerous. His chemistry with #2 Denis Novak could prove to be dangerous in any doubles situation, so i would say Austria has a big upside, but Thiem has to win every singles match.

10. Argentina

Diego and Guido make a nice 1-2 punch for the Argentinian squad. I just don’t think there is enough fire power there to win a tie against one of the power house teams, but if Diego gets a win, and it’s forced to doubles, don’t sleep on the South Americans.

11. Greece

Young star Stefanos Tsitsipas and a group of fairly unknown players make up the 2021 Greek squad. They won’t be dangerous in this tournament, but they hopefully will play above their level and make for some memorable moments for the Greek fans. Opa!

12. Japan

Nishikori and Nishioka. I just don’t know how much confidence I have in Kei Nishikori at this point, so I’ve put them squarely at the bottom due to my expectations, but the Japanese could a have a couple surprise upsets in this tournament, but I don’t see them taking out any powerhouse teams.

Group Rankings

#1 - Group A

Group A is by far the toughest group to be in. Serbia is our highest ranked team in the Group, but Canada could easily come out of the Group of Death victorious. With Milos Raonic as the #2, he is the definite favourite against either Struff or Lajovic, so a potential tie with Serbia comes to the doubles, and Canada has been clutch in Davis Cup play, so I am VERY excited to see what the Canadian boys can do. In reality, all 3 teams could win this group, part of why it is most definitely the group of death.

Spain is the favourite, but it will be tricky for them, I sense.

#2 - Group b

Spain is the strongest team in Group B, but the Australians are tough and have great doubles specialists in Peers and Saville that could break the deciding doubles match into an Australian tie win. Things will always be interesting with Stefanos on court, so nothing is guaranteed for Spain.

#3 - Group C

It’s hard to predict who will come out of Group C, but Italy does look like the slight favourite. Team France and Austria are dangerous though, so this will be a fun group to watch.

#4 - Group D

Russia is the clear favourite to win this group. Minds will be blown with any other result.

There you have it. The Slice on the 2021 ATP Cup.

Predictions? Russia wins to signify a 2021 marked by success from Medvedev and Rublev in the Majors.

by Stephen Boughton, Chief fire starter @theslicetennis

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ATP CUP 2021 Power Rankings