Garin On ATP Cup: 'It Is One Of My Favourite Tournaments'

Cristian Garin revealed he has enjoyed a strong off-season as he looks to regain his best form in 2022, starting at this week’s ATP Cup in Sydney, where he will lead Team Chile.

“I have been having [a] good off-season," Garin said in Chile's pre-tournament press conference. "I have been practising well. I ended last season with an injury, so it took a while to recover, but last month it was so good for me. I have been practising well, playing matches, practice matches, and I have been doing well. [ I am] healthy.”

Garin will face Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut on Saturday in Group A, before playing Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic and Norway’s Casper Ruud.

The World No. 17, who has played just five matches since the US Open in September due to injury, is excited to return to competitive action as he makes his second appearance at the 16-team event.

“It’s amazing to be playing with the best players,” Garin said. “This tournament is one of my favourite tournaments. It's amazing to represent my country and play with the best players, so I just want to improve, playing against the best.

"I think our group is very tough, but we have our chances. I think we are playing well. We are a very young team, and we know each other pretty well, so I only want to compete. I will go out there and give my best.”

Jorge Aguilar will captain Chile and is relishing the challenge in Australia, saying: “I look forward to the first tie against Spain. I think Cristian has had a very good off-season and he's very willing to do well here. Plus, we have a very good spirit among the team, good teamwork.”

Alejandro Tabilo and Tomas Barrios Vera will support Garin in Group A, with the pair both making their debuts at the event.

“It's a great opportunity,” Tabilo said. “I have been playing a lot at Challenger [level] and [have] been doing well. It's a good step forward, and obviously I'm going to try to do my best. I played a few ATP [Tour tournaments] last year, so I still have a little bit [of] experience, so hopefully I can use that to play my best.”

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3sKrZZu