Just days before the Nitto ATP Finals began, Jack Sock didn’t even know he could still qualify for the season finale for the first time. But, as Mark Hodgkinson writes, Sock then went on the most exhilarating ride through the Paris draw to win a first Masters 1000 title, with that victory bringing him across the Channel as the first American singles qualifier at The O2 since 2011. In the information age – a time of big data, rolling television news and alerts sent to your smartphone – ignorance can be a wonderful thing. Take Jack Sock, who just before Halloween rolled up at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 in Paris – the last opportunity to qualify for the...
Legends can be defined by combining a couple of metrics – the level of their play, and how long they sustain that for. Roger has raised the bar for both: he has played at a higher level than anyone else, and he has kept it up for longer. When I was coaching Pete Sampras, I vividly remember watching courtside when Roger defeated Pete at Wimbledon in 2001, in a fourth-round match that would be their only meeting. Something became clear to me that day; an immense talent was entering the men’s game. And here we are 16 years later. Watching Roger in 2017, there is no longer a question about his longevity. In a remarkable year, Roger has captured a...
As Grigor Dimitrov steps off a Thames Clipper this week, the view will be all too familiar: the glass fibre fabric canopy of The O2 will loom large, as will the sight of 36-foot high imagery of his rivals that provide a welcome to those visiting the Nitto ATP Finals. Three years ago, as an alternate, Dimitrov learned to play a gruelling waiting game: preparing, practising, anxiously awaiting an opportunity, all in anticipation of a call – which never came – to step up following the withdrawal of a competitor. “That was rough, but it did make me stronger and I took the positives out of it,” remembers Dimitrov, who can now afford a smile. “The [Nitto ATP] Finals is...
The draw ceremony for the Nitto ATP Finals, to be held at The O2 in London from 12-19 November, has been made on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, live on BBC Radio 2 with Boris Becker, on Wednesday morning. Buy Tickets Now Singles – Group Pete Sampras [1] Rafael Nadal (ESP) [4] Dominic Thiem (AUT) [6] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [7] David Goffin (BEL) Singles – Group Boris Becker [2] Roger Federer (SUI) [3] Alexander Zverev (GER) [5] Marin Cilic (CRO) [8] Jack Sock (USA) Nadal, who has won six titles in an exceptional year — including his 10th Roland Garros and third US Open crown — leads Group Pete Sampras alongside Dominic Thiem (5-2 FedEx ATP Head2Head record), Grigor Dimitrov...
The BBC and ATP have today announced an extension to their broadcast deal for the Nitto ATP Finals which will see the tournament broadcast live in 2019 and 2020. The deal is for exclusive free-to-air TV rights for eight singles matches, including a semi-final and the final, and includes the right to stream these matches across the BBC’s online platforms, as well as non-exclusive radio rights for the whole tournament. The deal also includes non-exclusive radio rights to all ATP World Tour Masters 1000 matches. The Nitto ATP Finals is the climax to the men’s professional season, featuring the best eight qualified singles players and doubles teams battling it out for the last title of the season. 2016 saw Andy...