Novak Djokovic is nearing unprecedented territory in London. Roger Federer hasn't done it. Rafael Nadal hasn't pulled it off. Neither did other season-ending titlists Ivan Lendl, Boris Becker or Pete Sampras. But if Djokovic wins the 2016 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, which starts Sunday, he will become the first player in finale history (since 1970) to win five consecutive season-ending titles. “The [Barclays ATP] World Tour Finals is the crown for all the achievements for all the best eight players in the world,” Djokovic said during his pre-tournament press conference. “I'm very happy that I'm one of them and have had an amazing last four years in The O2 arena, and I'm just hoping that I can carry on...
Kei Nishikori is looking forward to competing at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and is hoping to see his Japanese compatriots turn out in force at The O2 in London. “It’s always nice to have Japanese fans in the stadium,” said Nishikori. “I love seeing the Japanese flags. It brings a great atmosphere, in such a great arena. It’s fantastic.” With a 57-18 match record – tied-third with Dominic Thiem for most match wins on the ATP World Tour in 2016 – Nishikori is aiming to close out the year in style, on his third season finale appearance. Nishikori has been drawn in Group John McEnroe alongside Andy Murray (2-7 FedEx ATP Head2Head), Marin Cilic (7-5) and Wawrinka (2-4)....
After reaching the semi-finals in his past three appearances at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, Stan Wawrinka is ready to take the next step and make it to the title match. The World No. 3 and reigning US Open champion is back at The O2 in London for the fourth straight year. Wawrinka has had plenty of high moments this season and said that returning to London is the reward for his hard work on and off the court. “This is an amazing tournament for every player. It was always a dream for me to play in this tournament, so to finish my year playing here is very enjoyable,” said Wawrinka. “It was my goal at the beginning of...
An assured Marin Cilic is targeting a charge towards lifting the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals trophy at The O2 Arena in London having flourished under the guidance of coach Jonas Bjorkman. The seventh seed has enjoyed a strong second half to the 2016 season, clinching his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, in Cincinnati in August, where he beat Andy Murray in the final, and then a first ATP World Tour 500 title, in Basel last month. The 28-year-old has hailed the impact of the former singles No. 4 and nine-time doubles Grand Slam champion since they struck up a partnership in August. “Starting my relationship with Jonas, he is a very different personality to Goran (Ivanisevic); he’s...
The day Andy Murray reached No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, the Saturday before he won his first BNP Paribas Masters title, he and Ivan Lendl talked on the phone for the first time in months. Lendl, who rejoined Murray's team earlier this season, congratulated the 29-year-old on passing Novak Djokovic and reaching the lifelong dream. But they didn't reminisce about the Scot's 18-match win streak or his consecutive titles in Beijing, Shanghai and Vienna. Instead, they got to work. They discussed Murray's Paris final and talked about how they'd prepare for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, which starts Sunday at The O2 in London. “I like that, it's good,” Murray said during his pre-tournament press conference. “I...