Italian Tennis Federation President Angelo Binaghi Angelo Binaghi said in a recent interview to Italian News Agency Ansa that Turin could replace London as host city of the ATP Finals in 2020, if London will not be able to host this event due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Turin will be the venue of the ATP Finals from 2021 to 2026.
“I talked to Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino about the possibility to host the ATP Finals this year. If London cannot host this event, we will take the opportunity. Our goal is to play the Internazionali d’Italia between September and October during the new season on clay. The alternative could be to play in Cagliari in November, or in Milan on a fast indoor surface in December. Perhaps men and women will be divided between Milan and Turin with single-seat finals in a beautiful union betweem two cities hard hit by the coronavirus”, said Binaghi.
Binaghi talked about the possible impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the tennis world, once the emergency will be over.
“We will have to be flexible and innovative because for one or two years nothing will be as before. The players will collect balls and towels and they will not be able to bring with them. They will return to the times of Nicola Pietrangeli. The crowd will enter and leave in rows, masks and disinfectant gel for everyone. We are the safest sport from a health point of view. They cannot treat us as team, contact or indoor disciplines. Tennis can and must start again as soon as possible”.
