Tennis News

Tiafoe, Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce celebrate Chiefs' win

Tennis, NFL football and pop music royalty enjoyed a rare three-way crossover on Sunday in Kansas City.

The No. 18 in the PIF ATP Rankings Frances Tiafoe and his girlfriend Ayan Broomfield spent time with celebrity couple Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift after watching the Kansas City Chiefs overcome the Denver Broncos 16-14 in the AFC West. Music superstar Swift was at the game supporting her boyfriend Kelce, who plays as a tight end for the Chiefs.

Although Tiafoe is a big Washington Commanders fan, that did not stop him and Broomfield from posting ‘Chiefsss’ on Instagram after their experience at Arrowhead Stadium.

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Becker on Sinner: 'He's the man to beat for a long time'

Alongside Jannik Sinner’s ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF ceremony Monday evening at the Nitto ATP Finals, former World No. 1 Boris Becker and ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi unveiled the pioneering ‘ATP No. 1 Club’, which was created to celebrate ATP players past and present who have reached the pinnacle of the sport.

“It was a childhood dream of mine to become the very best,” Becker said. “You don’t really believe it. It took me a couple of years. I was a longtime No. 2 before I became No. 1. But to be amongst the good and the great of tennis is very special.”

According to Becker, he never would have imagined as a kid that climbing to the very top was possible.

“I would have said, ‘You’re crazy. It’s not possible’,” Becker said. “But here we are and I’m very happy for Andrea to have this No. 1 Club because it’s a history for the young players as well — who was here before, who paved the way a little bit to have tournaments like the [Nitto] ATP Finals in Torino.”

Gaudenzi discussed the newly launched Club and why it is so important to pay tribute to World No. 1s.

“Reaching World No.1 is the ultimate achievement in our sport,” Gaudenzi said. “It takes excellence and consistency over 52 weeks to scale the top of the highest mountain. Only 29 players have done it, from Ilie Nastase in 1973, up to our newest No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

“Our sport has an incredible heritage and we’re proud to launch this No. 1 Club to celebrate and honour our biggest champions for years to come.”

Becker and Gaudenzi then welcomed Sinner to court under the watchful eyes of the Italian’s adoring fans. Becker, who has remained close to the sport as a coach and commentator, was highly complimentary of the Italian and his ascent.

“Honestly, not really surprised. I know him now for many years and he was always talented, but what stood out was his determination,” Becker said. “He always put everything on the line for tennis. He was living and breathing tennis, left his home at 13 to become the best tennis player he can be.”

Sinner owns a 66-6 record this season and seven titles, including his first two major triumphs (Australian Open and US Open).

“The consistency he has [at] only 23 years of age is remarkable,” Becker said. “He always has a level, he never goes under that level and again, I’m not surprised. I think he’s going to be around the No. 1 for a long time. Yes, we have Alcaraz and we have many others. But I think he’s the man to beat for a long time.”

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View the best photos from Day 2 at the Nitto ATP Finals

View the best photos from Day 2 at the Nitto ATP Finals

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First-Time Winner Spotlight: Benjamin Bonzi

Benjamin Bonzi clinched his first ATP Tour title on home soil at the Moselle Open after defeating Cameron Norrie in the final. It was the first taste of championship-match victory at the third attempt for the Frenchman, who in 2023 reached finals at ATP 250 events in Pune and Marseille.

The 28-year-old arrived in Metz after winning ATP Challenger Tour titles in Roanne and St. Brieuc in October, during which he was also a finalist at that level in Brest.

ATPTour.com caught up with the Frenchman to discuss his maiden moment, his 2024 season, and more.

What does it mean for you to win your first ATP tour title?
I’ve been through two finals last year and didn’t manage to win one. This is always special, to make history and win a tournament. To put your name on the list, on this beautiful tournament, after so many great players like Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or last year [when Ugo Humbert won]. That feels very great, especially after the year I have been through. Winning the title is always special. And I think winning our first ATP title is something more special, amazing.

You have won 21 out of your past 22 matches. Did you think this was possible? And what has been working so well for you?
If you had said to me that six weeks earlier, I [would] tell you that you’re a liar. But now everything is true. I felt amazing on the courts [in] the last few weeks on the Challenger Tour and the ATP Tour. I think that my level came back, especially on the on the mental part, and the way I managed all those things that I’ve been through on the court. I know I can face a lot of things on the court and be ready for everything. That was maybe not the case all the year. But 21 victories in the last 22 matches was amazing. I would have signed, for sure, with both ends, but that’s a great end of the season, kind of a fairy tale. So, to end like this, to be back in the Top 100 and be [in the] main draw for Melbourne.

Five years from now, what do you think you will remember most about this week?
For sure I’m going to remember the first title. Like I said, it’s always special, the way I played is the part that I’m the most proud of. The way I played the final. I went for it. I try to be aggressive, to take my chances every time I can. This is maybe the trickiest part to manage in the final. Because you’re tight, and you want to win. But this was a very important match, and I went through it. I managed all my emotions, everything [that was in my mind]. For me just to play the final, I want to remember that and keep this for the next matches.

Could you take a moment to acknowledge some of the key figures in your life who have helped you reach this milestone?
My coach, Lionel Zimbler. We have been working together for five years now. He is in Marseille. Another coach, Martin. He stopped in June. It was a bit tough to replace him. But I had a lot of [people] next to me. There’s my girlfriend with [me] every time, supporting me, trying to make me a better person, even on the courts and off the courts. [I also have] the mental coach. I have two trainers with me. Ralph, who is working in Marseille with me, and Kevin, who is travelling more with me in tournaments.

A tennis team is a lot of people. And, I had a coach this week. I worked with him maybe two years ago. He came back for me on Tour, for two or three weeks at the end of this year. It was pretty good. And I also had the chance to work with Laurent Raymond. He’s working for the [French] Federation, and they gave him to me for a few weeks. He’s a very experienced coach.

How would you describe yourself as a player and describe yourself off the court?
Off the court, I am a very calm person. I love to stay at home and rest, because the life on Tour is exhausting. You’re always moving, taking some flights or train, always moving and travelling. I’m a very calm person. I’m very close to my close ones. I’m not so extravagant. This is kind of the same on court. I won’t be as fancy as Corentin Moutet, for example, or some other guys, but I try to do my best. I try to stay focused, and sometimes there is not as much show as people want, but this is my way to try to play on the court. I am a calm guy.

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Zverev kick-starts hat-trick hunt in Turin with dominant win

Alexander Zverev ignited his pursuit for a third Nitto ATP Finals trophy with a commanding victory on Monday evening.

The second seed locked in to defeat Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-4 to open his account at the season finale in Turin. Zverev, the 2018 and 2021 champion, stood firm in the face of a fast start from Rublev to clinch his Tour-leading 67th win of 2024 in just 72 minutes. 

“I thought it was a very solid match from my end,” said Zverev, who improved to 15-9 at the Nitto ATP Finals. “Against anyone here, you have to play your best to have a chance, you have to be solid [and] mentally strong. I feel like I did that today, I felt like I used my chances quite well and I’m obviously happy with this win.”

Eyes on the prize 💎

Two-time former champion @AlexZverev kick-starts his campaign in Turin in fine fashion!#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/TCR8yiYE2F

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 11, 2024

Zverev became the first player to beat Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the Nitto ATP Finals in 2019. The 2024 edition marks the first time since 2001 that neither of those players are competing at the season finale.

“I think the attention went to Carlos [Alcaraz] and Jannik [Sinner] all year long,” Zverev said when asked about the scenario. “They deserve it, they won two Grand Slams each.

“It’s normal in sports, at some point everybody retires, new players come along. We have a great group of guys leading with Jannik and Carlos. I think they had a better year, even though I’m No. 2 in the world. The benchmark is those two guys.”

After improving to 7-3 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series, Zverev will continue his hat-trick hunt against Casper Ruud, who earlier upset third seed Carlos Alcaraz in the John Newcombe Group.

Faced with the most prolific server in the Nitto ATP Finals field, it was Rublev who got off to a blistering start inside Inalpi Arena. The 27-year-old won his first 13 points on serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats, but a lapse in the seventh game gifted Zverev the crucial first break of the match.

Zverev bided his time in the second set before pouncing in the ninth game to maintain his dominant record in opening round-robin matches at the event (6-1).  

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Sinner, Fritz US Open final rematch headlines Turin Day 3

Action from the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals continues to ramp up on Tuesday, with players from Ilie Nastase Group returning for the second set of round-robin matches.

Day 1 winners Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz will reprise their recent US Open final, with the winner taking pole position in the Ilie Nastase Group. Daniil Medvedev and Alex de Minaur, who suffered opening-day defeats are looking for a critical win to work their way back into semi-final contention.

In the doubles, Mike Bryan Group will also play host to some intriguing meetings. Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson will continue their debut run in Turin against Wimbledon champions Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten before second seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos face Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic.

[1] Jannik Sinner (ITA) vs [5] Taylor Fritz (USA)
Fritz will be hoping that lightning does not strike twice when he steps on court against home favourite Sinner on Tuesday evening at the Inalpi Arena. 

Sinner, the No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, won the pair’s most recent encounter in the championship match at Flushing Meadows in September and will head into their upcoming clash oozing with confidence, having won his past seven matches. 

Making his first appearance in Italy in 12 months, Sinner shook off a sluggish start to surge past De Minaur in his opener. Fritz also showed some of his most impressive tennis with a steely win over Medvedev, in which his serve was the standout weapon.  

Buoyed by the home crowd, and with the 2-1 lead in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, the Italian will have the slight edge. Sinner will be eager to bolster his chances of securing a maiden trophy at the season finale with a victory over Fritz, but has acknowledged the task that lies ahead.

“I have to be at my top if I want to win or get close,” Sinner said of his clash with Fritz. “It’s going to be tough, this I know. I know that I will have to raise my level, so hopefully I can do that. I feel like he has improved a lot in the past one and a half, two years. He is serving much better, hitting the ball very, very hard. He’s a great competitor.”

Fritz is making his second appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals, having made the semi-finals in 2022. Although he is no stranger in Turin, the World No. 5 enters this tournament with a different mindset.

”My first time [in Turin], I was an alternate, no one really expected much of me,” said Fritz. “I was playing with house money, no pressure. Now, I’m putting more expectation on myself to do better, I’m just a better player.”

<img alt=”Daniil Medvedev and Alex de Minaur” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/11/11/19/47/medvedev-de-minaur-nitto-preview.jpg” />

[4] Daniil Medvedev vs [7] Alex de Minaur (AUS)
Debutant De Minaur was thrown in at the deep end in his Turin opener against Sinner, but showed glimpses of the tennis that has earned him the right to be here. The 25-year-old now faces a different test in 2020 champion Medvedev, who is making his sixth consecutive appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals.

While Medvedev’s vast experience in competing at this tournament outweighs De Minaur’s by quite some way, the Australian will take confidence from winning three of their past five Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings, despite trailing 6-3 overall. Their first clash came in the Sydney final in 2018, where Medvedev spoiled the Australian party to clinch his maiden ATP Tour trophy. 

“We’ve played a lot of matches and had a lot of battles,” De Minaur said of his rivalry with Medvedev. “I’ve always looked forward to those matches because I think we are both tacticians out there when we play each other.”

In a clash that is destined to produce gruelling baseline exchanges from start to finish, Medvedev will aim to outfox De Minaur. After their respective losses on Sunday, both men are bidding for a vital win to increase their chances of progressing out of the Ilie Nastase group. 

Doubles action
Australians Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson will bid to back up the impressive start they made in their debut appearance in Turin as they face Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten in a rematch of this year’s Wimbledon final. Both teams secured opening wins in Mike Bryan Group on Sunday, so it is destined to be another high-quality battle, with their Lexus ATP Head2Head series tied at 1-1.

Second seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos will open the evening session against Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic as both teams seek their first win at this year’s event. It is a replay of the 2020 semi-finals, which Koolhof/Mektic won in straight-sets en route to lifting the trophy.

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Nitto launches auction to support Torino Green Project

Imagine watching the world’s best tennis players at the Nitto ATP Finals or even stepping onto the court with them for the pre-match coin toss. Now, thanks to the Nitto 2024 auction, this dream can become a reality, while supporting the impactful Torino Green Project, launched by Nitto in November 2023.

Ending on 17 November, the auction offers exclusive items like match tickets, the rare chance to perform the ceremonial coin toss at the season finale and players’ signed goods. The auction invites fans to bid on unforgettable experiences, all while contributing to a meaningful cause.

All proceeds from the auction will go toward the City of Turin, in support of the Nitto ATP Finals Torino Green Project, a sustainability initiative created in partnership with the ATP Tour. The project focuses on minimising the environmental impact of large events, promoting sustainable practices throughout Turin.

Key initiatives include waste reduction and support for green projects like tree regeneration at Cavalieri di Vittorio Veneto Park a park next to the tournament venue and creating a green bus stop within the city of Turin for the aim of Co2 reduction. The auction funds will help ensure a lasting, positive impact on Turin’s environment and serve as a model for sustainable development.

Anna Orfanidou was a lucky fan who through the auction claimed the unforgettable experience of performing the coin toss ahead of Sunday evening’s match between Jannik Sinner and Alex de Minaur.

“I was so excited,” said Orfanidou. “I was waiting for this since last year. I am from Greece and I am a tennis fan. I always watch the Top 10 players. I love that Nitto offers this. It is interesting and engages the audience. It has been a very nice experience.”

Inside the Fan Village, the Torino Green Project booth highlights the auction and draws a steady crowd. Screens display the auction site and showcase the items up for bid, while staff answer questions, helping fans understand the dual opportunity to win unique experiences and support a meaningful cause. The auction is accessible worldwide, making it easy for fans everywhere to join in and contribute.

This connection between the excitement of world-class tennis and the drive for environmental sustainability demonstrates the Nitto ATP Finals’ commitment to leaving a positive legacy in Turin. Through this auction, fans are invited to become part of that legacy, using their passion for tennis to fuel positive change.

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Ruud stuns out-of-sorts Alcaraz at ATP Finals

Casper Ruud stuns an out-of-sorts Carlos Alcaraz to begin his ATP Finals campaign with a straight-set victory in Turin.

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Ruud rocks Turin, upsets Alcaraz at Nitto ATP Finals

When it comes to the Nitto ATP Finals, Casper Ruud rarely brings anything below his best.

The Norwegian on Monday upset Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 7-5 to register a huge early shock at the prestigious season finale in Turin. Ruud, who reached the championship match on his previous Nitto ATP Finals appearance in 2022, expertly capitalised on a lacklustre performance from the third-seeded Alcaraz to seal an 86-minute victory inside Inalpi Arena.

Although Alcaraz appeared below his physical best during Monday’s encounter, Ruud looked transformed from the player who entered the match having registered just two wins since the US Open. The 25-year-old struck the ball cleanly off both wings and showed few signs of nerves in serving out for his first Lexus ATP Head2Head win in five attempts against Alcaraz.

Ruud will next seek to earn a second win on Wednesday, when he will face either Alexander Zverev or Andrey Rublev in John Newcombe Group. Monday’s defeat is an early blow to Alcaraz’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals in Turin for the second consecutive year, but the Spaniard will hope to raise his game for his next match as he chases his fifth tour-level title of the season.

More to follow…

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Inside Zverev & Alcaraz's World No. 2 battle

Jannik Sinner wrapped ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours in October, but the battle for year-end No. 2 is still up for grabs.

Alexander Zverev enters the Nitto ATP Finals in pole position to finish just behind Sinner. The German holds a 505-point lead over No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, but the Spaniard still has an opportunity to swap places with the two-time season finale champion.

A player could earn 1,500 points with an undefeated run to the title at the Inalpi Arena, giving Alcaraz a chance to overcome that deficit. Each round-robin win is worth 200 PIF ATP Rankings points, semi-final victories 400 points and a triumph in the final 500 points.

PIF ATP Live Rankings (entering 11 November)

Zverev and Alcaraz are both in the John Newcombe Group, so they are guaranteed to meet at least once in Turin. That could prove pivotal in the battle for World No. 2. Alcaraz is trying to finish in the top two for the third consecutive year, while Zverev is attempting to do so for the first time.

Daniil Medvedev is currently live World No. 4, 330 points ahead of No. 5 Taylor Fritz, whose win against the 2020 Nitto ATP Finals champion helped narrow the gap.

Fritz is trying to become the first American to finish in the year-end top four since James Blake was No. 4 in 2006.

Novak Djokovic could fall as low as World No. 9 by the end of Tuesday. The Serbian is live World No. 6 with 3,910 points.

No. 7 Casper Ruud (3,855), No. 8 Andrey Rublev (3,760) and No. 9 Alex de Minaur (3,745) are all within 200 points of them, so they each need just one round-robin win to pass Djokovic.

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