This 12th and final edition of the ATP Finals in London’s O2 Arena is also the 50th anniversary edition. But because of the corona pandemic, it takes place without fans and celebration. A sad farewell to the World Cup spectacle, which has probably never been so perfectly and bombastically staged as in the southern district of Greenwich.
Deafening noise from 20,000 euphoric spectators, top sound and light shows, top atmosphere from the eight best tennis professionals of the respective season. But in this darn Corona year: nothing. Tsitsipas wants to defend his title; Djokovic, Nadal, Thiem, Medwedew, Zverev and the two debutants Rublew and Schwartzman want to dispute that with the Greek – and if possible pocket almost 1.7 million francs as the undefeated champion. All of this in front of empty stands in a multifunctional arena that will feel emptier than any other stadium in the world.
Djokovic has Federer’s record in his sights
Federer is spared this sad farewell. The pausing, six-time record champion will remember the British mega-event in its most beautiful form. With a win, Djokovic could move up to the Swiss’s record. In addition to the two rivals, only Tsitsipas (2019), Zverev (2018), Dimitrov (2017), Murray (2016) and Dawidenko (2009) have won in London since 2009. Nadal never won – the Spaniard should be all the more pleased about the move of the tournament to the “Pala alpitour” in Turin (It) from 2021.
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