ATP: Next Gen Finals: Semi-finals are set

Andrey Rublev, Borna Coric, Hyeon Chung and Daniil Medvedev reach the semi-finals of the first edition of the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan. However, the focus of the event is on numerous rule changes.

The biggest hurdle of the first day for the local reporter was to find the press room of the tournament. No renowned tennis club, no well-known tournament facility was chosen as the venue for the first edition of the Next Gen ATP Finals in Northern Italy, but rather a trade fair grounds. And not just any random thing.

With more than 2 million square metres of exhibition space, the new Milan Trade Fair Centre is supposedly the world’s largest exhibition area. In addition to parallel events such as the China Commercial Vehicles Show, the Energy Show or the Metal Working Machine Tool Show, an international tennis tournament can almost be a minor matter.

Finally arrived in Hall East, where the actual tournament area is located, the ATP prepared an appropriate stage for its Next Gens and their audience. Accompanied by a variety of lighting effects, there are not only numerous snack bars and merchandising stands, but also two showcourses where the players prepare themselves for their matches. Viewing is expressly desired here.

Of course, this idea is not completely new – the ATP finals in London or the ATP tournament in Vienna have similarly placed training places on their show grounds, but it always offers the spectators a fantastic opportunity to get a closer look at the training work of the stars.

And then, of course, there are the new rules on the pitch. 10 of them are there to intensify the tennis experience on site and on the various screens worldwide.

While the “Player Coaching” is only entertaining for those who are left at home, the spectators enjoy the “Free Movement Policy”, which allows them to leave the seat between the change of balls. to be taken. However, with one limitation: the people in the famous squares close to the action and directly behind the players, who are often available for VIPs or VIPs. Sponsors are reserved, even in Milan, there will be delays in the game. Since movements take place directly in the player’s field of vision, the players are also waiting for the players to take their place during the tennis experiment.

The most groundbreaking change of rules is probably the “Shorter Sets” with best-of-5 sets up to 4 and a tie-break at the score of 3-3. The aim is to make the matches shorter and more exciting. That this will not always be the case is shown by the last day of the group stage when Hyeon Chung defeated the local heroes, Gianluigi Quinzi, 1-4,4-1,4-2,3-4 (6), 4-3 (3) in two hours and six minutes. Chung, who was unbeaten in the semi-finals, needed five minutes longer than Nick Kyrgios for his win over Dustin Brown in Wimbledon last year in a classic 5-set match on Grand Slam level.

“I like the shot clock,”Chung said after his success at the press conference that followed. This innovation gives players exactly 25 seconds to put the ball back into play and between the points. However, the 21-year-old Korean’s reasoning is special.

“Sometimes I get a warning from the referee because I have to clean my glasses. This means that I have to expect a constant warning for longer matches. I like the Shot Clock”, underlines the young star from Asia with a smiling smile.

Daniil Medvedev, one of three Russian tournament participants, sees serious support at the edge of the field in the indicated dwindling seconds.

“I believe that the shot clock is a good thing. I’ve already received some warnings for time delay in my career. Sometimes you just walk around the square a little, start typing the ball and you’ll get a warning,”says the native Muscovite and also advocates introducing the system at ATP World Tour level.

“I don’t have a timer in my head that tells me when the 25 seconds are up. I can see it here. That’s fair enough. If I get a warning with this visual help, it’s my own fault.”

Although there are no World Ranking Points to earn in the Next Gen ATP Finals, it seems to be perceived as a serious event by the players. This impression was confirmed at least by the behaviour of Jared Donaldson after his last appearance in Milan. The American has lost all three of his group matches this week, winning only one set.

“This is the worst course of the week I could have imagined,”said 55th in the world rankings. in – understandably – obviously bad mood.”The other guys are obviously better than me.”

However, Donaldson does not see the new tournament format as being responsible for his poor performance “The same rules apply to everyone. It’s tennis. I just lost.”

It should therefore be noted that, despite numerous rule changes, there is still at least one constant: defeats always seem to feel just as bad. It is still too early for the reporter to make a final assessment. After all, he still has two days ahead of him in Milan.