ATP Men’s Tennis • Will It Move From London To Manchester Or Tokyo Or Singapore? Or Turin?

Germany’s Alexander Zverev celebrates with his trophy surrounded by ball kids after beating Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in their final match at the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament  at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 18 November 2018.  EPA-EFE/WILL OLIVER

 

 

By Ricky Dimon

 

The ATP announced a group of potential host sites for the Nitto ATP Finals starting in 2021, and it includes London, Manchester, Singapore, Tokyo, and Turin. London, of course, is the current host city and has put the prestigious year-end championship event on display at the O2 Arena dating back to 2009.

 

London’s contract ends following the 2020 tournament, although it is certainly not out of the question to remain as the host site. But Manchester, Singapore, Tokyo, and Turin are now also in the mix to take it following two more years of action inside the O2.

 

“The level of interest we have received worldwide throughout the bid application process reflects the rich heritage of this unique tournament, as well as the success of the event at the O2 since 2009,” said ATP CEO Chris Kermode, who noted that at least 40 cities around the world put in bids.

 

“It has been a highly competitive process, and the candidate cities on the short list deserve huge credit for the passion and creative vision they have shown in their respective plans to continue the growth of our showpiece event.”

 

Players seem to be conflicted, with Novak Djokovic among those who think should be switched up every so often. Roger Federer, on the other hand, is in the contingent that argues success should not be messed with and London should keep it going.

 

The future host site of the Nitto ATP Finals will not be announced before March of 2019.

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @TennGrand.