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A Frenzied Finish In the ATP

Oct 28th 2016

While the women are already well on their way to deciding, who will waltz away with the coveted WTA Finals title, the men are still scrambling their way towards London.  Two spots remain up for grabs in what is not only one of the most prestigious events on tour but an event that this year could have a major impact on the 2017 season.

One of the hottest topics on the ATP World Tour right now is the race for World Number 1.  It looked highly unlikely last year and even through early June this season, but Novak Djokovic finds his reign at the top very much in jeopardy thanks to a combination of poor play from the Serb and the stellar play of Andy Murray.  Depending on his results this week and next, it is possible the Scot might even overtake Djokovic prior to London.  If not, it would add one more element of excitement to the tournament in the British capital, and even if Djokovic were to escape 2016 with the Number 1 ranking still intact, his battle with Murray would be an exciting way to quickly heat things up at the start of 2017.

Andy Murray

Another intriguing prospect at this year's event in London is the opportunity to see some fresh faces.  Gael Monfils, Dominic Thiem, and David Goffin have never competed in the ATP World Tour Finals.  Monfils recently secured a place in London, while the other two, along with Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic remain in the hunt for a berth.  The year-end championships have often proven to be a springboard to greater success.  For players like Thiem and Goffin, who are just beginning to come into their own, or a competitor like Monfils, a man heading towards the twilight of his career and trying to finally deliver on his talent, a great showing in London could go a long way towards helping them reach notable heights in 2017.

New faces tasting success in London has also become increasingly more important amid growing concerns regarding a potential lack of star power in the near future.  While the dominance of the Big 4 has in many ways been good for the sport, everyone has known that it cannot last.  That has been abundantly clear in 2016 with Roger Federer forced to sit out since Wimbledon and Rafael Nadal missing a portion of the summer and opting to end his season early.  With both men absent from London and Djokovic presently struggling to replicate the top form he exhibited through his title run at Roland Garros, there has arguably never been a better time for those outside of the Big 4 to make a move.  If one or more of these players can make something happen a few weeks from now, it might just give Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray a little something more to think about as more favorable odds of further breaking up the stranglehold they have maintained on tennis could be on the horizon.

Novak Djokovic

Suffice it to say, there is still a lot to play for before 2016 is officially in the books.  The London field is yet to be fully determined, and those lucky enough to contest it are bound to put on a spectacular fight to emerge as a worthy champion.  It should be entertaining to see not only who rises to the occasion to book his place at the final tournament of the year, but whether Murray and Djokovic can continue the Big 4's dominance by securing the title – and which will emerge in their private battle for Number 1 – or if a fresh face will give them and fans reason to believe that there is going to be a shakeup come 2017.