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Singapore submits bid to host prestigious ATP Finals

Germany’s Alexander Zverev in action during the final of the ATP Finals against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. (PHOTO: Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge)
Germany’s Alexander Zverev in action during the final of the ATP Finals against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. (PHOTO: Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge)

Singapore is bidding to host the US$8.5 million (S$11.7 million) ATP Finals – the prestigious season-ending tournament for men’s tennis – from 2021, meaning that the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or current champion Alexander Zverev could be making their way here.

Sport Singapore, the Singapore Tourism Board and the Singapore Sports Hub confirmed in a joint statement on Wednesday (27 November), “We have expressed our interest to bring the Nitto ATP Finals to Singapore.

“This is part of our continued efforts to look out for suitable world-class events that can inspire the enjoyment of sport here, and add to our vibrancy and attractiveness as a sport and lifestyle destination. The Singapore Sports Hub is a world class venue and choice for such events.”

Hosting of WTA Finals came to an end

The move comes as Singapore said goodbye to the WTA Finals – ATP Finals’ equivalent in women’s tennis – in October, after hosting the US$7 million event for the past five years. The tournament is moving to Shenzhen next year, with a bigger prize purse of US$14 million.

This year’s WTA Finals singles competition featured the likes of US Open champion Naomi Osaka and Australian Open winner Caroline Wozniacki in an elite eight-player field. Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina emerged as the winner, defeating American Sloane Stephens in the final at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The ATP Finals was first held in Tokyo in 1970, and has since been played in cities such as Paris, Melbourne, New York and Shanghai. Since 2009, it has taken place in London’s O2 Arena. Like the WTA Finals, it features the top eight men’s singles and doubles players for the finale to the men’s ATP Tour.

The ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals), men’s tennis’ governing body, announced in August that it had opened a tender process for the ATP Finals from 2021. Although it did not indicate the contract length, media reports have said it will run from 2021 to 2025.

Interested parties were given until 2 November to submit their bids, with a shortlist of potential candidate cities to be announced on 14 December. A final decision will be made by March next year.

More than 40 cities in the running

More than 40 cities from around the world have reportedly put in their bids for the tournament, including current host London. The ATP Finals drew about 250,000 fans to London each year, with global TV audiences of around 95 million annually. By comparison, the WTA Finals drew about 133,000 fans to Singapore in its 2017 edition.

“The tournament’s popularity and stature have reached unprecedented heights in London, which has attracted significant interest from potential future host cities over the years,” said ATP Executive Chairman and President Chris Kermode in a statement in August.

“We feel the time is right to undertake this international tender process as we look to secure the event’s future beyond 2020.”

This year’s ATP Finals, held from 11 to 18 November, saw rising star Zverev defeat Djokovic in the final to claim the biggest title in his career so far.

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