The world’s top eight players will once again arrive in London for the year ending ATP Finals tournament, this year – for the last time.
After an 11-year successful stay at the O2 Arena, London, and the second longest stay at any venue since New York in 1977-1989. The event will be unfortunately leaving London after the singles final on Sunday 22nd November.
Due to the success of holding the event in East London, with tickets regularly selling out and there always being a fantastic atmosphere in the O2 Arena, the contract to keep the year ending finale in North Greenwich has often been renewed. It has been a fantastic home for the tournament that is in the second highest tier of tennis, only behind Grand Slam level, but a decision has been made to move it elsewhere.
Former professional player now turned coach, Andrew Foster, said, “it would’ve been nice to see it stay (in London) although it seems right that it changes venue, so many countries can share the showcase event. The Finals in London has helped maintain a more year round focus to tennis and will be missed. Hopefully it returns before too long.”
Next Stop Is Turin
Next year the event will take place in Turin, Italy. With financial backing from the Italian government and the tournament to be played in Italy’s largest indoor stadium, the Pala Altipour with a capacity of 12,350, the prize money is expected to increase by more than 50%.
At the time of the decision last spring to move the event to Italy, Chris Kermode, ATP Executive Chairman said in a statement, “Italy provides us with one of the strongest and most established tennis markets in Europe and has a proven track record for hosting world class tennis events.”
Speaking in early 2019 to Eurosport, world number one and president of the ATP player council at the time, Novak Djokovic “I guess it comes down to whether we want to stay somewhere where it’s very successful, which is a fair argument, or you want to take chances, in a way, and travel the tournament as it is supposed to be.”
Covid-19’s Influence
There have been many great moments in the 10 years so far in London and the concluding eleventh year tournament is expected to be just as great however lacking the atmosphere the crowds bring due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This year’s event will be played behind closed doors and all players will be in a strict bubble environment to protect them from the virus.
Another difference this year, besides the notable fan absence, is that there will be no line judges. This is an attempt by the tournament organisers to reduce the risk of infection spreading. Hawk-Eye will be used for all line calls.
