ATP Finals back in Tokyo in 2021

[raph6]

As you all know, the ATP has decided to change the venue of the ATP World Tour Finals for 2021 and beyond as it has been held in London for a decade already.

4 cities were in the final discussion for this event : Turin, Manchester, Singapore and Tokyo.

According to former players on the French TV (Pioline, Escude, Di Pasquale, Bartoli etc...), the city chosen is Tokyo. It is not a surprise as Nitto is the sponsor of the event and is a japanese company.

But this will have a lot of consequences on the Tour. What about the indoor season in Europe ? Will Paris, Basel, Vienna, Moscow and other tournaments of the fall die so that there is just one big Asian Swing ?

Discuss.

 

[Red Rick]

Just switch around Euro indoor fall and Asian Swing.

Pretty sure its fine

Tokyo should be good

 

[Mainad]

If this is true, then it's going back to where it all started. The very first YEC men's finals were played in Tokyo back in 1970 (Stan Smith beat Rod Laver in a round robin format).

 

[tennisaddict]

Just switch around Euro indoor fall and Asian Swing.

Pretty sure its fine

Tokyo should be good

I think this is the right idea. Make the order- Paris, Basel, Tokyo(500)/Beijing, Shanghai and then Tokyo (YEC)

This way Paris can be shunned yet again as it is a useless event.

 

[jm1980]

Ugh, why Tokyo? It's bad. Just as bad as when it was in Shanghai

The rest of the indoor season is played in Europe and now there's one even on the other side of the world after the Asian swing

 

[MasturB]

As you all know, the ATP has decided to change the venue of the ATP World Tour Finals for 2021 and beyond as it has been held in London for a decade already.

4 cities were in the final discussion for this event : Turin, Manchester, Singapore and Tokyo.

According to former players on the French TV (Pioline, Escude, Di Pasquale, Bartoli etc...), the city chosen is Tokyo. It is not a surprise as Nitto is the sponsor of the event and is a japanese company.

But this will have a lot of consequences on the Tour. What about the indoor season in Europe ? Will Paris, Basel, Vienna, Moscow and other tournaments of the fall die so that there is just one big Asian Swing ?

Discuss.

It's a full week in between Bercy and WTF right? Next-Gen Finals are right after Bercy I thought. A week is enough time for these guys to get ready.

 

[MasturB]

Ugh, why Tokyo? It's bad. Just as bad as when it was in Shanghai

The rest of the indoor season is played in Europe and now there's one even on the other side of the world after the Asian swing

Times have changed a bunch my friend.

Sport is growing in Japan and Asia. Thanks to Nishikori and Chung. Wouldn't be surprised if Next-Gen Finals is moved to South Korea as well to be in closer proximity.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Times have changed a bunch my friend.

Sport is growing in Japan and Asia. Thanks to Nishikori and Chung. Wouldn't be surprised if Next-Gen Finals is moved to South Korea as well to be in closer proximity.

Not to mention Osaka.

 

[Gazelle]

Ugh, why Tokyo? It's bad. Just as bad as when it was in Shanghai

The rest of the indoor season is played in Europe and now there's one even on the other side of the world after the Asian swing

Luckily there are airplanes nowadays and players don't have to go to Tokyo by camel.

 

[MasturB]

I wonder if this means the Tokyo 500 will be moved to Seoul, or if ATP is fine with Tokyo having two big events.

 

[jm1980]

Luckily there are airplanes nowadays and players don't have to go to Tokyo by camel.

Airplanes or not, holding the event far away discourages participation from athletes who mostly live in Europe or North America

It's how we ended up with Stepanek playing the YEC because nobody else bothered to be an alternate

 

[Red Rick]

I wonder if this means the Tokyo 500 will be moved to Seoul, or if ATP is fine with Tokyo having two big events.

London was fine with 3, though the proximity of ATP 500 Tokyo to the WTF might be annoying.

 

[Bobby Jr]

Good move since it'll be Fed's last year on tour.. . A big Uniqlo tie-in will be possible in Japan.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Excited to see Fedster lift the trophy at the inaugural edition in front of the home crowd.

At 40 years young too.

 

[MeatTornado]

I wonder if this means the Tokyo 500 will be moved to Seoul, or if ATP is fine with Tokyo having two big events.

Considering the multiple events in London, Paris and NY, I doubt they care about doubling up on cities if it makes sense financially. But I doubt having two hard court Bo3 events in the same city just a month apart makes sense. Marketing the 500 would be impossible if people know the de-facto All-Star Game is right around the corner.

 

[MasturB]

Considering the multiple events in London, Paris and NY, I doubt they care about doubling up on cities if it makes sense financially. But I doubt having two hard court Bo3 events in the same city just a month apart makes sense. Marketing the 500 would be impossible if people know the de-facto All-Star Game is right around the corner.

I wonder if they would also remove a week from the asian swing, and add a week to Europe. Perhaps with Tsitisipas being hot to the scene that Athens would get an Indoor 500 or 250.

 

[jm1980]

I wonder if they would also remove a week from the asian swing, and add a week to Europe. Perhaps with Tsitisipas being hot to the scene that Athens would get an Indoor 500 or 250.

It would make more sense to shift the calendar around and push the Asian swing to October

 

[MajesticTennisManiac]

I wonder if they would also remove a week from the asian swing, and add a week to Europe. Perhaps with Tsitisipas being hot to the scene that Athens would get an Indoor 500 or 250.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1106197216589434881

 

[MeatTornado]

I wonder if they would also remove a week from the asian swing, and add a week to Europe. Perhaps with Tsitisipas being hot to the scene that Athens would get an Indoor 500 or 250.

I'd love that.

 

[timnz]

As you all know, the ATP has decided to change the venue of the ATP World Tour Finals for 2021 and beyond as it has been held in London for a decade already.

4 cities were in the final discussion for this event : Turin, Manchester, Singapore and Tokyo.

According to former players on the French TV (Pioline, Escude, Di Pasquale, Bartoli etc...), the city chosen is Tokyo. It is not a surprise as Nitto is the sponsor of the event and is a japanese company.

But this will have a lot of consequences on the Tour. What about the indoor season in Europe ? Will Paris, Basel, Vienna, Moscow and other tournaments of the fall die so that there is just one big Asian Swing ?

Discuss.

So London O2 didn't quite beat the New York Madison Square garden record of 13 straight Season end championships (1977-1989). London will have had 12 straight season end championships (2009-2020).

 

[citybert]

As you all know, the ATP has decided to change the venue of the ATP World Tour Finals for 2021 and beyond as it has been held in London for a decade already.

4 cities were in the final discussion for this event : Turin, Manchester, Singapore and Tokyo.

According to former players on the French TV (Pioline, Escude, Di Pasquale, Bartoli etc...), the city chosen is Tokyo. It is not a surprise as Nitto is the sponsor of the event and is a japanese company.

But this will have a lot of consequences on the Tour. What about the indoor season in Europe ? Will Paris, Basel, Vienna, Moscow and other tournaments of the fall die so that there is just one big Asian Swing ?

Discuss.

This have anything to do with Olympics 2020? Will they be using one of their venues at least?

 

[Mainad]

Airplanes or not, holding the event far away discourages participation from athletes who mostly live in Europe or North America

It's how we ended up with Stepanek playing the YEC because nobody else bothered to be an alternate

Well, prior to London it was held in Shanghai for 4 consecutive years (2005-8) and previously in 2002 so I can't see how travelling to Tokyo would be much more problematic for the players.

 

[raph6]

This have anything to do with Olympics 2020? Will they be using one of their venues at least?

I don't know, is there a new stadium for the Olympics of will they use the courts of the Tokyo ATP 500 ?

 

[raph6]

Just switch around Euro indoor fall and Asian Swing.

Pretty sure its fine

Tokyo should be good

So you play outdoor in America then indoor in Europe then outdoor in Shanghai and finally indoor in the WTF ?

 

[Red Rick]

So you play outdoor in America then indoor in Europe then outdoor in Shanghai and finally indoor in the WTF ?

Pretty much.

After the USO the first indoor tournaments are in Europe anyway. It's only 250s but still.

 

[ChrisRF]

Excited to see Fedster lift the trophy at the inaugural edition in front of the home crowd.

At 40 years young too.

Is Federer Japanese now?

Everything else is perfectly fine though...

 

[Rogfan]

Great news! Just the right time to visit Japan again for us!

 

[Djokovic2015]

Pretty much.

After the USO the first indoor tournaments are in Europe anyway. It's only 250s but still.

I think his point was more that its strange to go outdoor NA-indoor EU-outdoor Asia-indoor Asia with constant switching, whereas right now its simply outdoor (NA then Asia) into indoor (EU).

I think if anything they may just keep the format of the tour as is and just put the WTF at Tokyo at the end. When the WTF was in Shanghai they still had Tokyo/Beijing right after the NA season followed by the EU season and then went directly from the Paris Masters to the Shanghai WTF.

 

[EloQuent]

Between the Olympics, Fedr-Uniqlo, Osaka, now this, Japan is really making big tennis moves.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Is Federer Japanese now?

Everything else is perfectly fine though...

You are right. He lacks the Nissin patch (Barilla got there first).

 

[a12345]

The big question will be whether it sells out in Japan.

The finals in London attracts over 250,000 people a year which is a lot for such a small tournament.

Interestingly Chris Kermode was in favour of keeping it in London because the optics of full crowds creates a buzz for the sport , whereas the likes of Djokovic have called for it to be moved around.

Kermode was fired, now its being moved.

 

[Mainad]

The big question will be whether it sells out in Japan.

The finals in London attracts over 250,000 people a year which is a lot for such a small tournament.

Interestingly Chris Kermode was in favour of keeping it in London because the optics of full crowds creates a buzz for the sport , whereas the likes of Djokovic have called for it to be moved around.

Kermode was fired, now its being moved.

Probably not a coincidence then?

 

[Tennis_Hands]

The big question will be whether it sells out in Japan.

The finals in London attracts over 250,000 people a year which is a lot for such a small tournament.

Interestingly Chris Kermode was in favour of keeping it in London because the optics of full crowds creates a buzz for the sport , whereas the likes of Djokovic have called for it to be moved around.

Kermode was fired, now its being moved.

When was the decision for the host city taken?

 

[raph6]

When was the decision for the host city taken?

We know since December it would change, London couldn't have continue to host the event.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

We know since December it would change, London couldn't have continue to host the event.

So, it has nothing to do with the ousting of Kermode as someone here speculates.

 

[EloQuent]

Important to note that this isn't confirmed yet, just speculation based on a few former players talking.

 

[raph6]

Important to note that this isn't confirmed yet, just speculation based on a few former players talking.

The decision has to be announced this month so I think it's very likely they have the information.

 

[EloQuent]

The decision has to be announced this month so I think it's very likely they have the information.

I'm not doubting you, just a word of caution.

 

[Otacon]

Tennis is booming in Japan, it would be a good choice IMO.

 

[a12345]

We know since December it would change, London couldn't have continue to host the event.

London is one of the bids to continue hosting the event.

 

[a12345]

Interestingly, Fed like Kermode also said he wanted to keep a winning formula at the O2 in London, Djokovic however wanted things to change.

“I think if they stay it’s definitely a good choice. I don’t know what the options are, I think it’s important to look at them. I know this is the biggest yearly event they have at the O2, if the O2 is happy, if the crowds keep flocking here and the tour has a good deal why not stay here? It has been a winning formula here, I’ve enjoyed playing tennis in a city that knows tennis very well, that has a strong media following. It has been a good place for us players to showcase our talents to be honest.”

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Interestingly, Fed like Kermode also said he wanted to keep a winning formula at the O2 in London, Djokovic however wanted things to change.

“I think if they stay it’s definitely a good choice. I don’t know what the options are, I think it’s important to look at them. I know this is the biggest yearly event they have at the O2, if the O2 is happy, if the crowds keep flocking here and the tour has a good deal why not stay here? It has been a winning formula here, I’ve enjoyed playing tennis in a city that knows tennis very well, that has a strong media following. It has been a good place for us players to showcase our talents to be honest.”

I will ask you again.

Do you have information when the decision was made/if that is official?

 

[a12345]

I will ask you again.

Do you have information when the decision was made/if that is official?

Im responding to French TV reports the OP has raised. Its a discussion.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Im responding to French TV reports the OP has raised. Its a discussion.

So, nothing is yet decided?

 

[a12345]

So, nothing is yet decided?

Ok, everyone in this thread please write "if the reports are true" at the beginning of every post you make as some people are unable to comprehend a discussion.

 

[augustobt]

Pointless move for me... The O2 is a great venue and the seats are always filled.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Ok, everyone in this thread please write "if the reports are true" at the beginning of every post you make as some people are unable to comprehend a discussion.

Oh, I am perfectly able to "understand a discussion".

I am just trying to put in perspective some of the speculations connecting that supposed decision to the power play at the top of the ATP as you seem to try here.

I thought that that is also "understanding a discussion" on your part, but maybe not.

 

[a12345]

Oh, I am perfectly able to "understand a discussion".

I am just trying to put in perspective some of the speculations connecting that supposed decision to the power play at the top of the ATP as you seem to try here.

I thought that that is also "understanding a discussion" on your part, but maybe not.

Well "if the reports are true", then Fed is on one side of the ATP finals staying in London and Djokovic is on the other side wanting it moved.

Fed is on one side of Kermode staying whilst Djokovic and co wanted him sacked.

"If the reports are true" it would seem that there is a power shift going on behind the scenes.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Well "if the reports are true", then Fed is on one side of the ATP finals staying in London and Djokovic is on the other side wanting it moved.

Fed is on one side of Kermode staying whilst Djokovic and co wanted him sacked.

"If the reports are true" it would seem that there is a power shift going on behind the scenes.

There was no actual power shift before the voting, so the timing of the events is crucial, if you want to ascribe the decision to it (even then you will have to show how exactly what this or that player want can influence such a choice via his favourite, but that is one step further than where we are now).

Let's pretend that you got carried away with your willingness to explain the events and nothing more.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

I won't take this tournament seriously until it's on Clay.