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Federer, Nadal and Djokovic separated for new Aussie tournament

Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and World No.1 Novak Djokovic have been separataed in the in the first week of the inaugural ATP Cup men's team tennis competition starting on January 3.

Australia have been drawn to contest Group F with Germany, Canada and Greece in Brisbane.

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The 19 countries already qualified were each assigned to one of six groups across the three host cities - Brisbane, Perth or Sydney - at the official draw on Monday at the Sydney Opera House.

Five additional countries will also qualify to compete at the 24-team tournament based on the ranking of their highest-ranked singles player to make up the other four-nation groups.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic won't face each other in the first week at the new ATP Cup in Australia. (Getty Images)

Also playing in the Queensland capital will be Djokovic's Serbia, who will face France, South Africa and a yet to be determined nation.

Sydney will host Roger Federer's Switzerland in Group C with Belgium, Great Britain and another soon to be added country, as well as Group E which contains Austria, Croatia, Argentina and an as yet unknown fourth team.

Rafael Nadal's Spain will play in Perth in Group B against Japan, Georgia and a yet to be named qualified nation while the Group D contingent of USA, Russia, Italy and a qualifier will also play in the west.

The $21 million event will double up as the season-opening tournament for the men's tour, in the lead-up to the Australian Open.

Eight teams from the six-day group stage will advance to the knockout round, which will continue in Sydney until January 12.