ATP World Tour Finals 2017: A Preview

The views expressed by the author are personal, all facts and stats mentioned are true and accurate according to the author's knowledge, nevertheless, if any fact is inaccurate, leave a comment below. All images belong to ATP. The content is not sponsored by ATP, NITTO or any other organisation. Written by Vinayak Iyer, Mumbai, India. November 2017. 

As the 2017 season draws to a close, all eyes are on the season ender ATP Finals where the top 8 players of the season compete bringing out the best tennis ever seen. 

The NITTO (previously Barclays) ATP World Tour Finals featuring the top 8 singles and doubles players, has firmly established itself as a major sporting tournament and the world's biggest indoor tournament. Around 250,000 fans visited the O2 Arena in London and about 103.2 million worldwide streamed the action live via various official broadcasters, generating $2.6B through sponsorship, last year alone. 

The tournament is of great significance as it not only combines a host of celebrity faces to create an incredible atmosphere but also honors awards to the best in various criteria. 

Qualification is coveted by many but only earned by the few players who demonstrate sustained excellence throughout the season. No other event guarantees 15 matches between the world’s top eight players, ensuring unforgettable world class tennis in every session.

THE FORMAT

Andy Murray, the defending champion 

The ATP World Tour Finals is a class apart from the 62 ATP tournaments and 4 Grand Slams played each year. It features a Round Robin format where the 8 players are divided into 2 groups. The top 2 from each group qualify for the semi finals and the victors emerging from it battle it out for the prize pot of $8,000,000. 

Let's have a look at the top 8 in the order they qualified:

1. RAFA NADAL (ESP)

 

*titles as of June 2017

The Spaniard became the first to qualify after clinching Roland Garros in June making it a record of 10 Roland Garros titles. 2017 was a great year for him from the beginning- he reached the final of Australian Open by defeating extremely talented 20 year old Sascha Zverev and Bulgarian, Grigor Dimitrov en route to the final and showcased great sportsmanship after his defeat against Roger Federer. Later had an amazing clay season by winning 2 Masters 1000 - Monte Carlo (his 10th) and Madrid, and his 10th Barcelona Open title. After his loss to Muller in the Wimbledon Round of 16, he went on to win his 3rd US Open title making his GS tally to 16 only behind Federer's 19. 

“I've had a great season so far and I am happy to have already qualified for London. I could not play last year because of injury so I look forward to returning in November.”

He was crowned Numero Uno (Number One) in Paris Masters sealing a lead of 1550 points to Federer. This marks, his fourth campaign finishing at the top of the rankings tying McEnroe, Lendl and Novak, a record third time reclaiming the Number One by the end of the season, the biggest  gap in ATP history between first and last Number One year (9 years (2008-2017), Sampras and Federer, 6 years), and oldest player in ATP history to end a season as World Number One (31 years, 5 months).

A strong favourite, the raging bull look to seize every opportunity to clinch his first ever title here in London! 

2. ROGER FEDERER (SUI)

*titles as of July 2017

Roger Federer booked his seat alongside Rafa Nadal for his 15th appearance at the season finale by clinching a record 8th Wimbledon title. Federer has 6 ATP World Tour Finals trophies in his bag, and reached the finals on 4 occasions making him the most successful player in the history of the tournament.  

 “I look forward to returning to London in November. I was sad not to be able to compete last year as I love playing there and had not missed the event since 2002."

The Swiss maestro had one hell of a ride this season by clinching 7 titles, which include 2 GS- Australian Open and Wimbledon, 3 Masters 1000 - Shanghai, Miami and Indian Wells and titles at Basel and Halle, finishing Number 2 on the tour and an amazing 49-4 Win-Loss record. Roger also enjoyed a 4-0 H2H against Nadal this season although the overall H2H is 23-16 in favour of the Spaniard.  

Roger will anticipate his meet with Rafa in order to thoroughly dominate him this year!

3. ALEXANDER ZVEREV (GER)

Sascha Zverev became the youngest to qualify since Juan-Martin Del Potro in 2008.

He qualified by winning the Semi Final in China Open.The 20 year old had a cracking year and that was evident from the AO match up against Nadal. All had recognized Zverev to be a future GS champion. 

“The atmosphere is amazing in London. I've been there for the award (ATP Star of Tomorrow, 2015) that I got two years ago. So hopefully it’s going to be similar to that. I know it's going to be very special event for me.”  

The German sensation went on to win 2 Masters 1000, both won in style by defeating Djokovic and Federer in Rome and Montreal respectively, becoming the first player outside the "Big Four" to win more than one Masters 1000 in a single season since Nalbandian in 2007. 

Certainly a one to watch out for!

(Sascha had qualified for the Next Gen Finals, too (a tournament analogous to the Finals but for the youngsters in the game(<21 years)) but opted out due to the lack of gap between the tournaments.)

4.  DOMINIC THIEM (AUT)

Dominic Thiem qualified for the Finals for the second successive year by proceeding to the Semi Finals at the Shanghai Rolex Masters 1000. The 24 year old is one of the most traveled players on the tour by competing in 24 tournaments. 

"I am very proud to have qualified again this year. It is not easy to qualify once but even more so to repeat the following year. I look forward to competing with the best players in the world at The O2."

The Austrian enjoyed a 24-5 W-L record on clay this season. He was the runner up in Madrid and Barcelona losing to Nadal on both occasions, reached Semis of Rome Masters 1000 and Roland Garros by defeating Djokovic and eventually losing to Nadal. 

Thiem will look to better his performance from last year to aim for a berth in the Semis. 

5) MARIN CILIC (CRO)

Marin clinched a spot for the Finals for the third time (2014, 2016). Cilic won at Istanbul and later went on to reach the final at Wimbledon (lost to Federer). He became the third Croatian to win 400 matches currently at his career high ranking - World number 4.

"Another amazing achievement for me. Third time in four years to make it to London. That was one of my goals at the beginning of the season with my team and I’m glad that we have accomplished it."

Placing a bet on Cilic to reach semis at the Finals would be a tough one. Let's see what he has to offer.

6. GRIGOR DIMITROV (BUL)

 2017 was certainly the best season Dimitrov has had. He claimed his biggest title, the Cincinnati Masters 1000 in August. He gave a tough fight to Nadal in the semis of the AO.  He also defeated many top players like Thiem, Raonic, Nishikori. Finally he won on home turf in Sofia Open. 

I would place Dimitrov as the dark horse. Considering his recent form, he has the potential to topple top seeds and cause an upset if he grabs a control over his unforced errors. 

7. DAVID GOFFIN (BEL)

Goffin claimed the penultimate spot for the Finals. The debutant (kind of*) had wonderful season with 50+ match wins on the tour and broke into the top 10 later this year. 
It would be a tough task for the Belgian to cement a spot in the semis with Rafa, Thiem and Dimitrov drawn in the same group. 

"It is every player's dream to make the (Nitto ATP) Finals and it is my first time there so I can't wait to get to London!"

*Goffin had played one match in last year's Finals as a replacement to Monfils

8. JACK SOCK* (US OF A)

Jack Sock displayed excellent throughout the year and sealed the final spot by defeating Tsonga in Paris. The 25 year old clinched his first Masters 1000 and as a result is at a career high rank of 9.

There have been a lot of firsts. It started at the French Open with my first fourth round of a Slam, now I’ve won my first Masters 1000 in Paris, this will be my first time in the Top 10 and this will be the first time making the year-end Finals. So there’s a lot going on right now emotionally and I can't wait to enjoy it all with my team." 

* initially Stan Wawrinka had qualified for the Finals but was ruled out due to injury

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This year sees the absence of defending champion Andy Murray and 5 time champion Novak Djokovic who withdrew due to injuries, nevertheless, there are 4 debutants eager to showcase and display their best tennis ever.  

The crowd would be all the more excited to see Roger receive three awards-  Comeback of the Year, Sportsmanship and was also voted as the Fans' Favourite Award, and Rafa, who would be handed the year end Number One trophy. 

Catch the live action straight from The O2 Arena from 12-19 November, 2017 on Sony Espn.

If you want to follow updates, you know whom to contact ;)

The Groups are set, the players are ready, and the action is about to begin! 

Who would come out victorious? 

Comment your choice below or tweet using #NITTOATPFINALS

Time to bid studies good bye for a week! 

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