Dominic Thiem and David Goffin are set to bid for the Garanti Koza Sofia Open crown this week in Bulgaria, but the duo took to a different venue Tuesday morning in a historic part of the city. The top two seeds visited Ancient Serdica archaeological complex for a brief hit in the capital’s Ancient Roman complex.

“It’s a special occasion, a special area,” said second seed Goffin. “I didn’t know it was such a special place here in Sofia. I saw this place and I will try to visit more if I have time this week because I heard it’s a very nice city.

“I’m really impressed by the arena, it’s big and brand new,” said the Belgian, who will face Radu Albot in his opening match in the second round on Wednesday. “It’s not going to be easy. It’s never easy to play the first match in the tournament, but I’m feeling ready.”

Largely below street level, the historic complex covers an area of about 9,000 square metres and includes eight streets and an early Christian basilica. The two stars hit in an amphitheatre under a glass dome at the square between the Council of the Ministers and the Presidency.

“It’s an impressive arena… I hope that it’s packed when we play,” Thiem said of the tournament’s venue. “Also the city is nice so I’m happy to play my first round soon.”

The Austrian will face the winner of the match between Nikoloz Basilashvili and Adrian Mannarino in the second round.

Tickets to the 2017 ATP Finals are now on public sale, the ATP announced on Tuesday. From today, fans can secure their place at the prestigious season-ending showdown from 12-19 November at The O2 in London, featuring only the best eight qualified singles players and doubles teams, by purchasing tickets at www.ATPFinals.com.

Just over a month into the 2017 ATP World Tour season, all eight qualification spots in singles and doubles remain up for grabs as players continue to battle throughout the season for a chance to compete for the last title of the year in London.

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The 2017 season has got off to one of the most memorable starts in recent history, highlighted by a record-breaking Australian Open that culminated with the latest chapter of a Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal rivalry that has transcended the sport over the past 15 years.

The Swiss and Spaniard are back at the top of the Emirates ATP Race to London in first and second place respectively. Elsewhere, Grigor Dimitrov has signalled his early intent with his best start to a season to-date, capturing a title at the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp before reaching the Australian Open semi-finals. The Bulgarian currently sits in third place in the Race, followed by Stan Wawrinka in fourth place.

Last year’s ATP Finals produced a historic culmination to the season, marking the first time that the year-end No.1 ranking was on the line for both finalists in the final match of the year. Andy Murray defeated Novak Djokovic to capture his first ever season-ending crown, and in the process became only the 17th player in history to finish as year-end No.1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings (since 1973). The season-ending event has now welcomed more than 2 million fans to The O2 since it moved to London in 2009.

‘Last year’s spectacular finish to the season at The O2 will live long in the memory,’ said Chris Kermode, ATP Executive Chairman & President. ‘The 2017 season has got off to an amazing start and, with all roads leading to London in November, we look forward to welcoming another 250,000 fans to The O2 in November for our 2017season finale.’

This year’s tournament will offer a record breaking US$ 8 million in prize money. The season-ending event has been contested in major cities around the world with a rich history dating back to The Masters in 1970 in Tokyo. Since 2000, the event has taken place in cities such as Lisbon, Sydney and Shanghai, before moving to London in 2009 where it will be held through 2018.

Rafael Nadal will join Andy Murray in the Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club in June. The Spaniard – winner of 69 ATP World Tour singles titles, including two Wimbledon crowns – can’t wait to return to the prestigious grass-court tournament he won in 2008. 

“I am very happy to be coming back to Queen’s in June,” said Nadal, who went on to win Wimbledon for the first time nine years ago, just three weeks after his triumph at The Queen’s Club. “Winning the title in 2008 is a great memory for me, the people that organise the event at Queen’s and the British crowds are fantastic, and it is the best way for me to be ready for Wimbledon.”

Nadal’s two Wimbledon titles (’08, ’10) both followed good runs at the Aegon Championships. He reached the Wimbledon final five times between 2006 and 2011, making the quarter-finals or better at The Queen’s Club prior to each one. 

Stephen Farrow, Aegon Championships tournament director, was delighted to confirm the World No. 6 in the Emirates ATP Rankings had joined the field. “Rafa is one of the greatest tennis players of all time and one of the most popular ever to play at The Queen’s Club,” he said.

“To be able to add his name to that of the world No.1, Andy Murray, in the Aegon Championships line-up in a year when we are expanding our Centre Court capacity by 30 per cent, and just a week after reaching the final in Australia, is wonderful news for the tournament, our spectators and our sponsors.”

Tara McGregor-Woodhams, head of brand and sponsorship, Aegon UK said: “We are thrilled that Rafael Nadal has committed to playing the Aegon Championships this summer. Everyone loves watching him play, and we look forward to seeing him in June.”

The Aegon Championships will be held from June 19-25 at The Queen’s Club, London.