ATP CEO Chris Kermode has spoken about a new tournament on the ATP calendar for players aged under 21.
In a bid to support and promote the younger players on the tour, a year-end tournament will be hosted for the best under-21 players on the tour. The event was due to kick-off this year, however, it failed to happen due to ‘political issues’ according to Kermode.
Currently there are five cities interested in hosting the unique event. Kermode has refused to name the cities involved because of ongoing negotiations. It is understood that the cities are also unaware of who else has applied to host the event. Kermode expects the new tournament to be scheduled after the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris. Speaking about the younger generation of players on the tour, the CEO has expressed his excitement about the tour’s future prospects.
“This generation, the reason why I am so excited is because they are from a really wide demographic. We have Australians, Americans coming through. There is also (Borna) Coric, (Alexander) Zverev, (Hyeon) Chung etc.” An enthusiastic Kermode said.
“All these players are going to be huge superstars “.
The ATP has also confirmed that they are looking at ways to make the new event more exciting. One potential idea that Kermode has is to reduce the pre-match warm-up time for the players. Kermode has argued that he feels that it is ‘too long’ and it spoils the initial excitement generated for the fans when the players walk on to the court. They also had a radical idea of only allowing people under the age of 21 to watch the event, however, one of their potential sponsors has dismissed the proposal, calling it ‘too extreme’.
Besides the event, they tour has also launched today the ‘ATP University’ for young players. The aim of the new scheme is for players ‘to learn about the responsibility’ of being on the tour. The scheme has been launch in line with one of the key goals for the ATP, according to Kermode.
“It is a major focus of the ATP to educate the players about what their future is going to be like”. Kermode said.
Despite the positive discussions regarding the new event, proceedings are still in the early stages. Kermode had admitted that it is uncertain if it will start in 2016, however, he has guaranteed that the new event will get underway in 2017 at the very latest.
Players aged under-21 in the ATP top 100 (W/C 16/11/15)
30. Nick Kyrgios AUS
44. Borna Coric CRO
52. Hyeon Chung KOR
70. Lucas Pouille FRA
80. Thanasi Kokkinakis AUS
83. Alexander Zverev GER
99. Kyle Edmund GBR
