World No.2 Rafa Nadal will kick off his 2021 season with a clash against in-form Australian Alex de Minaur in the team-based ATP Cup ahead of the Australian Open.
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Nadal will lead Spain and De Minaur will represent Australia as they face off on February 8 on the first day of the lead-up tournament at Melbourne Park.
The opening day will also feature world No.1 Novak Djokovic as he begins his 2021 campaign, with defending champions Serbia meeting Canada on Rod Laver Arena.
De Minaur, Australia's top-ranked player at 23rd in the world, is coming off a storming title win at the Antalya Open in Turkey.
The 21-year-old led Australia to the ATP Cup semi-finals in 2020 and this year he is joined by team members John Millman, John Peers and Luke Saville.
The ATP Cup debuted last year with 24 teams and was held across three cities in Australia but there will be half the number of teams in this year's edition because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The start of this year's tournament has been pushed back by a day to allow more time to train for the 72 players confined to hotel quarantine in Melbourne.
The winners from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
Australian Associated Press
