The year-end tennis gala: The legends, regrets, and money game of the ATP Finals

Eight elite competitors, a shining trophy, and a champion’s prize reaching $5 million—the ATP Finals, serving as the men’s professional tennis year-end showcase, draws the eyes of tennis enthusiasts globally each November. In this annual finale, the top eight players in the world rankings battle intensely for both prestige and unprecedented prize money along with 1500 ranking points.

The history of the ATP Finals dates back to 1970, when the inaugural event was held in Tokyo, Japan, known then as the “Year-End Masters.” American Stan Smith won the first men’s singles title. Since its inception, the tournament has evolved continuously—from the Year-End Masters to the ATP World Tour Championship, then the Tennis Masters Cup, and finally settling as today’s ATP Finals.

The event’s venue has changed multiple times. Starting in Tokyo, it was subsequently hosted in New York, Frankfurt, Hanover, Shanghai, and London. Since 2021, Turin, Italy, has taken over from London as the new home of this year-end celebration. Like the WTA Finals, the ATP Finals’ location is notably mobile, with major cities competing to secure hosting rights. Shanghai and Beijing were once strong contenders but ultimately failed to win bids due to factors such as the $60 million hosting fee.

One of the defining features of the ATP Finals is its unique indoor hard court setting. The vast majority of matches are played on indoor hard courts. This environment eliminates weather variables, providing stable conditions for players, but presents a challenge for those who excel on clay or outdoor courts. Spain’s Rafael Nadal is a prime example. For him, the indoor hard courts of the Finals remain a formidable obstacle. Some commentators have noted, “Nadal has conquered outdoor hard courts, clay, and grass, but the indoor hard courts of the Finals remain his Achilles’ heel.”

Throughout the history of the ATP Finals, two stars stand in stark contrast: Novak Djokovic’s legendary achievements and Rafael Nadal’s unfortunate regrets. Djokovic holds the record with seven titles, the most in ATP Finals men’s singles history. In 2023, at age 36, Djokovic defeated local favorite Jannik Sinner in straight sets in Turin to claim his seventh crown, becoming the player with the most Finals titles. In sharp contrast, Nadal’s story is one of missed opportunities. Although he qualified for the Finals for 11 consecutive years by age 29, he has never won the event. His best results were runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2013, losing to Federer and Djokovic respectively. Nadal’s Finals record stands at 13 wins and 11 losses, which contrasts sharply with his dominance elsewhere.

The ATP Finals not only carry great prestige but also offer attractive financial rewards. In 2025, the total prize money reached a record $15.5 million. An undefeated champion can earn $5.071 million (approximately 4.5 million euros) from prize money alone, exceeding the single-tournament winnings of any Grand Slam event.

Even players eliminated in the group stage are guaranteed a participation fee of $331,000, with an additional $396,500 awarded for each group match victory. This lucrative prize distribution underscores the ATP’s commitment to top players and makes the Finals a true “money battle” every year.

When stars like Djokovic are absent or not fully committed, the ATP Finals have sometimes produced champions dubbed “watered-down winners” by media and fans. Grigor Dimitrov in 2017 is a typical example. That year, his final opponent was David Goffin, marking the first time in eight years since 2009 (when Davydenko beat Del Potro) that the Finals lacked a “Big Three” player. Some called it the “weakest Finals of the century.” Similar cases include Davydenko in 2009 and Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2019. Although these players are talented, their titles are often viewed as less prestigious due to the absence of the top stars.

The indoor hard courts of Turin will soon once again host battles among the world’s top eight. After winning in Athens, Djokovic has announced he will skip this year’s Finals again, leaving open the question of whether a new “watered-down winner” will emerge. These uncertainties remain, but one thing is certain: as the year-end climax of the international men’s tennis tour, the ATP Finals will continue to write their own legendary stories.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Xiao Di)