The Spark: 1970 and the Birth of the Masters
The story begins in Tokyo, 1970. The men’s professional tour was still in its infancy: the Open Era had only just begun in 1968, allowing amateurs and professionals to compete together. Tennis underwent a revolution, both in spirit and in structure. The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) itself would not be founded until 1972, but the idea of a season-ending championship for the best performers was already in the air.
That year, the Pepsi-Cola Masters was introduced. It was not a traditional knockout tournament, but rather a round-robin event, featuring the best players from the men’s Grand Prix circuit. The format was new: every match mattered, and consistency was rewarded as much as brilliance. Stan Smith won that first edition, beating Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall to claim the inaugural title.
From the Masters to the ATP Finals
The prestige of the Masters grew in the 1970s and 1980s. It moved across the continents – Stockholm, Paris, New York, Frankfurt and Hannover – with each city leaving its mark. The list of champions reads like a roll call of tennis kings: Björn Borg, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras all lifted the gold trophy. Lendl in particular made the event his own, reaching nine consecutive finals between 1980 and 1988.
In 1990, the men’s tour underwent a major transformation. The ATP officially took over as the governing body of professional men’s tennis, replacing the Grand Prix circuit with the ATP Tour. The season finale was renamed the ATP Tour World Championships, symbolizing a new, unified era. The format – a round robin followed by semi-finals and a final – remained, but the event’s production, prize money and media presence skyrocketed.
The turn of the century: expansion and evolution
The 2000s brought even more changes. The ATP wanted to highlight the top players not only in singles, but also in doubles. In 2000, a joint event was launched called the Tennis Masters Cup, which was hosted in Lisbon and then moved to Sydney, Houston and finally Shanghai. The Chinese city became a beacon for tennis’ growing global reach, hosting the finals in a state-of-the-art arena to huge fan enthusiasm.
The London Era: A Modern Classic
In 2009, the tournament found a new home at London’s O₂ Arena, marking the start of one of the most successful eras in ATP history. Called the ATP World Tour Finals, the event became a symbol of glamor and excellence. The indoor environment, futuristic lighting and packed crowd created an atmosphere unlike any other tournament: part sport, part theatre.
The ‘Big Four’ – Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray – made the London years a legend. Federer’s artistry, Djokovic’s dominance and countless epic battles made fans feel like they were witnessing history every November. Djokovic in particular became synonymous with the finals, winning a record six titles in the early 1920s.
Turin and the next chapter
After twelve brilliant years in London, the finals moved to Turin, Italy in 2021, marking a new chapter in the evolution of the tournament. The event, now officially called the Nitto ATP Finals (after its title sponsor), continues to bring together the top eight singles and doubles teams of the year. For many, qualifying for the final – symbolized by the elite ‘Race to Turin’ – is as much an achievement as winning a Grand Slam.
Why the ATP Finals matter
Unlike any other tennis event, the ATP Finals are a pure meritocracy. There are no wildcards, no ranking protection and no easy draws – just the best of the best, facing off in a compact gladiator format. It’s the place where rivalries are renewed, legacies are formed and the season’s story reaches its dramatic conclusion.
From Tokyo in 1970 to Turin today, the ATP Tour Finals have evolved from a daring experiment to a global sporting masterpiece. And while each season ends under the bright lights, one thing remains unchanged: the finals are where greats come together – and where true champions are made.
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