ATP Eyes London For Masters Cup
London has emerged as the likely host for the ATP Masters Cup, the end-of-season finale of the men’s tennis season, from 2009.
The news is another feather in the cap of the capital which is fast becoming a much sought after venue for top sports events following its victory in securing the 2012 Olympics.
The ATP has followed the lead of the Tour de France, the NFL and the NBA who have all announced events in London in recent months.
The ATP Masters Series, which are the flagship events on the ATP tour, will be cut from nine to eight tournaments with the Cup being moved from Asia to Europe.
ATP president Etienne de Villiers stated: ‘The Masters Cup will be called the ATP World Tour Finals and I would like it to be played in London.’
Shanghai hosted the end-of-year event in 2005 and 2006 and will still stage the Masters Cup this season and next before the venue is switched.
Despite losing the Masters Cup, De Villiers said that one of the eight Masters Series events would be held in China.
From 2009, ATP tournaments will also come under four categories of importance – the four grand slams, the Masters Series, 10 other selected events with the remaining tournaments making up the fourth category.
The structural change has been made predominantly to meet concerns over player fatigue with a number of top players withdrawing from tournaments due to injury – a scenario that has lessened the appeal of these events.
