2020 will be the last time the prestigious ATP Finals will be held at The O2 Arena in London unless the governing body of men’s tennis has a late change of heart.
Multiple British media sources have reported that the end-of-year event is set to be moved to a new venue from 2021 onwards. The ATP Finals is the final event of the men’s calendar with the eight best players in the world taking part in the round-robin competition. In 2018 the draw had a prize money pool of $8.5 million.
The relocation of the event came after attendance at last year’s tournament dropped. In 2018 243,819 spectators visited the venue throughout the tournament, which was a 3.9% decline compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, London has been consistent in attracting a quarter of a million people each year it has hosted the event. It is the second most significant tennis tournament held in the UK after Wimbledon.
Attendance at the London ATP Finals since 2012
2018 – 243,819
2017 – 252,481
2016 – 252,894
2015 – 252,894
2014 – 263,229
2013 – 261,247
2012 – 263,229
(source – atptour.com)
The Italian city of Turin, which hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics, are favourites to take over as hosts in 2021. Their bid has been boosted by support from the Italian government, who has helped secure a £65 million deal to host the ATP Finals between 2021-2025. Italy already hosts the Next Gen Finals in Milan, which was created back in 2017.
“Every day there is something to file but we are on the home straight and we are optimistic and we have reason to be.” Italian politician Giancarlo Giorgetti told reporters earlier this week about Turin’s bid.
Tokyo, Manchester and Singapore are also in the mix to host the event. Out of those three, Tokyo is the only city to have previously hosted the event. Although Singapore was the previous location for the highly successful WTA Finals, which is the women’s equivalent.
In recent years there has been a debate around weather London should continue hosting the event of not. Critics argue that the season-ending event should be moved around more to expose the sport to different audiences across the world. On the other hand, any decision to move from London risks the chances of success elsewhere.
“I don’t see a reason to change unless there’s a city that really wants it badly and is willing to come in and support the tour in a major way for years to come like we have seen in Shanghai or maybe also London in the beginning.” 20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer commented in November.
“It has been a winning formula here (in London), I’ve enjoyed playing tennis in a city that knows tennis very well, that has a strong media following. It has been a good place for us players to showcase our talents to be honest.”
In contrast, world No.1 Novak Djokovic has previously said that a change in location is needed. Citing the drop in attendance last year. Since the ATP Finals move to London in 2009, Djokovic has won the title four times. More than any other player.
“I think that actually last year, several months ago, actually, the last World Tour Finals, wasn’t as good attendance-wise as most of the other years,” Djokovic said during this year’s Indian Wells Masters. “So that was also an indicator that maybe people… maybe it’s time to change, maybe not. I don’t know. We’ll see end of this year how is it going to be. “
An announcement on who will host the ATP Finals from 2021 is expected to be made later this month.
