ATP Finals expected to go ahead in London despite one-month national lockdown

Event is due to take place 15-22 November at the O2 Arena in the English capital

2019 ATP Finals winner Stefanos Tsitsipas (Getty Images)

The ATP Finals, the flagship event on the men’s tennis Tour outside of the four Grand Slams, will continue preparations to be held without spectators in London this month, organisers said following the announcement of a month-long lockdown in England.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday that the lockdown would kick in on Thursday and last until 2 December to contain the spread of coronavirus after positive cases passed one million in the United Kingdom.

The 50th anniversary edition of the finals, which feature the top eight men’s singles players and doubles teams, will be held at The O2 Arena in London between 15 and 22 November for the last time before they move to Turin in Italy for the next five years.

“We will continue to work with all relevant authorities, both at a national and local level, to ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to ensure the safety of all those involved in the tournament,” the ATP said in a statement.

World No1 Novak Djokovic and 20-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal will be among a host of top players who will assemble in London for the season-ending men’s event in the 2020 calendar.

Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas will look to defend his title, with US Open winner Dominic Thiem and New York finalists Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev the other players to have booked their spots for the tournament.

Reuters