Zverev won the title in 2018 (Picture: Getty Images)

London is set to lose the season-ending ATP Finals beyond 2020 after hosting one of tennis’ biggest events since 2009.

ATP chiefs have decided to move the event along after 12 successful years in the UK capital, with Turin the favourites to land the tournament.

Though Italy’s bid is unlikely to shift as many tickets as the O2’s slickly-run show, the Italian government is believed to be willing to put up a cash guarantee to the tune of €15million-a-year (£13m) in order to land the season-ending competition for a five-year stint, making their total contribution close to £65m. Tokyo is thought to be the other alternative.



The event has been an unqualified success in London, with more than 250,000 people coming through the doors each year, and it generates a whopping 15% of the ATP’s total income.


Among the players, there have been mixed feelings about moving it on.

Roger Federer – a two-time winner at the O2 – had expressed his desire for it to remain on these shores.

Federer wanted it to stay (Picture: Getty Images)

‘I don’t know what the options are. It’s important to look at other options. But if the O2 is happy and the crowd keep flocking here, then it’s a good deal,’ the Swiss said.

‘Why not stay here? I don’t see there’s a reason to change, unless someone else really wants it badly and would support the tour in a big way.

‘But it’s been great here, I’ve enjoyed playing here. It’s been a good place to play and showcase our talents.’

The event has traditionally moved around relatively frequently, with no other venue enjoying a stint of more than four years since 1995, and Djokovic felt it was time to move on.

‘I don’t want it to move from London, I just feel like the concept of this event should be the one that travels,’ he said.

Djokovic was keen on the move (Picture: Getty Images)

‘This is the biggest event the ATP owns and you have the best eight players in the world in a unique format of the round robin system so you see at least a certain player three times in a week playing and I just feel this is a great leverage and opportunity to promote tennis all around the world.’

Djokovic’s wish has been granted and an announcement is expected in due course to confirm its departure.

What exactly London will be losing beyond 2020 in terms of a playing field is less clear.

It seems unlikely Federer will play in 2021, while Rafael Nadal has often skipped the tournament due to wear and tear after a long season. With Andy Murray – the 2016 winner – also struggling with injury, tennis’ star power may be somewhat diminished by the time it moves on.

However, it’s a blow to the Lawn Tennis Association’s hopes to keep tennis relevant all year round, with a common misconception being that the season starts and ends with the grass in British summer. This is by far the biggest tennis event in Britain away from the grass.


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