Next Generation ATP Finals

Next Generation ATP Finals
Next Generation ATP Finals
2017 Next Generation ATP Finals
Tournament information
Founded	2017; 7 years ago
Editions	1st (2017)
Location	Milan; Italy (2017–2021)
Surface	Hard - indoors
Draw	8S
Prize money	US$1,275,000 (2017)
Website	nextgenatpfinals.com

Next Generation ATP Finals is an annual men's youth tennis tournament.

History

Following a competitive bid process, the ATP has announced that the Italian Tennis Federation, in association with the Italian Olympic Committee, will organise a new ATP tournament featuring the world’s top 21-and-under singles players of the ATP World Tour season. The first edition of the Tournament will be hosted at Fieramilano in Milan, Italy.^[1]

Format

Played over five days, the format for the competition will be two round robin groups, followed by the semi-finals and final. Played on a singles-only court, the competition will feature the best seven qualified 21-and-under players of the season, plus one wild card.^[2]

Rule changes

A number of rule changes will be introduced for the competition:^[2]

Best of five sets
First to four games in each set
Tie break at 3-All
No-Ad scoring (server’s choice)
No lets

Start match 5 minutes from entry of second player onto court
Shot clock to ensure 25 second rule
Maximum of one medical timeout per player per match
Limits on when coaches can talk to players
Public will be allowed to move around during a match (except at baselines)

Points and prize money

The tournament will not distribute any points for the participants; however, prize money worth US$1,275,000 will be distributed.

Qualification

The Top 7 players in the Emirates ATP Race to Milan will qualify. The eighth spot will be reserved for a wild card. Eligible players must be 21-and-under (born 1996 or later for 2017 edition).^[3]

Controversy

For the tournament draw, players were asked to choose a female model to escort them onto the stage, and some of these models lifted or removed various articles of clothing to reveal a letter of the alphabet. This letter signified who would be playing whom. Widespread criticism followed.^[4] The ATP explained their choice, "The intention was to integrate Milan's rich heritage as one of the fashion capitals of the world. However, our execution of the proceedings was in poor taste and unacceptable. We deeply regret this and will ensure that there is no repeat of anything like it in the future."^[5]

References

^ "Milan To Host Inaugural Season-Ending Next Gen ATP Finals From 2017 - ATP World Tour - Tennis".
^ ^a ^b "ATP Announces Trial Of Rule Changes & Innovation For Next Gen ATP Finals In Milan". ATP. 16 May 2017.
^ "Introducing Next Gen ATP Finals". ATP World Tour. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2017. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "The eight best under-21-year-olds on the planet battle it out in Milan".
^ "Association of Tennis Professionals criticised for stunt involving models".

[1] "Milan To Host Inaugural Season-Ending Next Gen ATP Finals From 2017 - ATP World Tour - Tennis".

[ATP517-2] "ATP Announces Trial Of Rule Changes & Innovation For Next Gen ATP Finals In Milan". ATP. 16 May 2017.

[3] "Introducing Next Gen ATP Finals". ATP World Tour. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2017. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[4] "The eight best under-21-year-olds on the planet battle it out in Milan".

[5] "Association of Tennis Professionals criticised for stunt involving models".

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