The yearend ATP tennis tournament ended in London with fireworks from rackets. Novak Djokovic retained the title to supply delight to his fans world over. There was no surprise as the top two seeds meet in the final. Final was played in a belligerent mood. Point that Novak won in order to break Nadal in the 8th game of the first set will always be remembered. Finally, the best prevailed.
This year end festival came into existence in new ‘Avataar’ as late as in year 2000.It’s inaugural edition took place at Lisbon where ‘Guga’ emerged as the winner. Since then trophy travelled to Sydney, Shanghai and Houston. From 2005 to 2008 it rested at Shanghai and finally since 09, it settled at O2 arena of London.
The arena at London remained jam packed right from the first match. The crowd was intelligent enough to notice all the moves and reacted with cheers and jeers in equal measures. They supported all the players and provoked fighters to supply longer entertainment. Many a famous personalities graced the occasion.
What makes this tournament so unique is it’s format. Top 8 players of the world are divided into 2 equally tough groups. This is the only cup of ATP where all the players fight against each other in both groups in round robin format and qualify for semi and eventually the final. The chase for eligibility runs throughout the year and goes right up to the last Masters event at Paris.
This tournament has thrown some unexpected champions and matches. David Nalbandian has won only one 2000 point ATP final, and that too in most awkward of the circumstances. In the final at Shanghai in 2005, he defeated then invincible Federer from 2 sets to love down. Federer was running on winning streak of 24 finals but the Argentine played against all odds and won the cup.
In 2009, Del Potro displayed magical tennis in last group match to qualify for the final. There, he handed Swiss maestro second straight loss from his hands after 2009 US open final. In the same year, Devydenko was 13th time lucky to beat Federer in SF and reached the final against Del Po. He eventually won the ‘Cup of his life.’ David Ferrer and James Blake have played only one final of 2000 point standard here only.
This tournament has given perfect recipe for tennis lovers. It provides a guarantee that every match is played as a final from the start. Champion has to play 5 matches and win at least 4 (last two wins are compulsory) to lift the cup. A player has a chance to prove himself, even after a hiccup.
No doubt, second half of the year witnessed Nadal as king of hard court where he conquered North American Masters double and US open. He surely will try to prove that he is still roaring on hard court. First GS of the year will be a hard court event. Federer has proved his talent by reaching SF and by defeating his recent nemesis Elano. In all the three sets in that game, he came from behind, winning the last two. He is not finished yet. The year has ended with display of quite fabulous tennis. So it’s goodbye 13 and long live the tennis in 2014.