ATP finals: Djokovic wants to get away from London: “We should give other cities a chance”

Novak Djokovic and the ATP finals in London – a special relationship and above all a successful one. In London, the Serb already celebrated great successes, but Djokovic still wants to see the event in another city.

Novak Djokovic already won five titles at the ATP Finals. In 2008, the 31-year-old was successful in Shanghai before he was unbeatable in the British capital from 2012 to 2015 and always went into the winter break as the last winner.

The reigning Wimbledon and US Open winners had to admit defeat to Scot Andy Murray in his last participation so far in 2016 and missed last year’s tournament of the best eight players of the season due to an elbow injury.

The rights to host the finals are still in London until 2020, after which the location could move to another city. Djokovic would just be doing this justice. “The London finals have always been a great success. No wonder people want the tournament to stay there. I think, however, that we should also give other cities a chance. Something should change,” explained the “joker” at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai.

As a new location for the ATP finals, Djokovic already has an exotic proposal. South America. “South America would be great. I think no matter where in South America the tournament would be a great success. The interest in the tournament would be enormously high, also for America. There is a long tennis tradition there anyway,” says Djokovic.

But a relocation within Europe is also possible, since there are enough interested parties for the tournament of the best eight players, the Serbian explained further. However, the previous editions in London, where the tournament has been held since 2009, have been “spectacular and great”, Djokovic feels.

Djokovic has already qualified early for the tournament alongside Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Juan Martín del Potro. Alexander Zverev, Marin Cilic, Kevin Anderson and Dominic Thiem are in places five to eight in the Race to London. The finals will be held from 11 to 18 November.