The ATP Finals are Just Around the Corner: Key Facts to Remember
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The 2023 ATP Finals in November will be the climax of this year’s ATP tennis season, with only eight best players competing in Turin.
Carlos Alcaraz was the first to qualify for the year-end championship after beating Novak Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon Championships final. Djokovic won the ATP Finals six times beforehand, the last in 2022.
But in the Cincinnati semifinals, Djokovic defeated Taylor Fritz and qualified for the ATP Finals as well. This year's edition will mark his 16th participation if the Serbian remains healthy and chooses to play in Turin.
Last year’s ATP Finals event was incredible. And this year could be even better. Here are some key facts that will brush up your memory and make it much more exciting.
Where are the ATP Finals held?
The ATP Finals will happen in Turin, a city in northern Italy. The town has a rich history with museums, royal palaces, and exuberant culture. It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie, a history buff, or you want to watch some tennis. This place has something for you.
The event will be held from November 12th to November 19th at the Pala Alpitour stadium. It’s the biggest indoor sporting arena in Italy, and the matches will be played on a hard-court surface.
How does the Format Work?
The ATP Finals works differently compared to the other tournaments. The top eight men’s players or doubles teams from the given season are eligible to compete. They don’t go for the classic draw of eight. Instead, there are two pools of four players or teams.
Everyone plays against everyone. Then, the top two in each group face off in the semifinals, with the winners meeting in the final. The cool thing about the format is that a player can lose a match in the group stage and still win the tournament. But that’s why the rewards differ.
The complete prize pool is $14.75 million. This championship pays based on match wins instead of the top players getting rewarded. Here’s what that looks like:
● Winning a round-robin match pays $383,300 for singles and $93,300 for doubles.
● Winning a semifinal match pays one million dollars for singles and $170,000 for doubles.
● Winning the finals pays $2.2 million for singles and $350,400 for doubles.
● Being an undisputed champion (undefeated) pays $4.7 million for singles and $930,300 for doubles.
Streaming the ATP Finals
There’s something about streaming a live tennis event that’s hypnotizing. You get to experience the action on the court like you’re there. Unfortunately, the ATP Finals will be streamed on the Tennis Channel, and if you don’t have a premium subscription, you can’t watch it.
The bad news continues for Hulu Live TV people because the channel isn’t included in the lineup. However, there is some good news. You can watch it if you subscribe to YouTube TV, Sling TV, Vidgo, Fubo, or DirecTV. You may have to include a Sports Plus, Lite, or Extra subscription to access the channel.
If you aren’t subscribed to any of these services, getting the Tennis Channel Plus subscription is the best option. If you have regular cable, check for Tennis TV and see if they allow you to stream the match online.
Watching the ATP Finals Live
True fans go to Italy and become a part of the crowd. Turin is an incredible city with several hotels near the Pala Alpitour stadium. It will take 15 minutes to get to the stadium from the AC Hotel Torino or DoubleTree.
Budget-friendly options include the Holiday Inn or the Best Western Hotel Luxor. These are almost 2 miles away from the stadium.
Accommodation-wise, you can also turn to Airbnb and check for available apartments. Book your reservations fast because the ATP Finals are around the corner.
A great tip is to use a VPN when purchasing flight tickets and booking stays. The VPN serves as an IP address changer, allowing you to pretend you’re in Italy already and get cheaper tickets.
You can use the metro, bus, or tram if you aren’t within walking distance of the stadium. Your last resort should be a taxi.
Because all the matches will be played on one court, you can watch everything!
Make sure to come early to the tournament because traffic and parking can be difficult. Buy parking tickets beforehand, and be on time. You can bring small bags into the stadium. Security will take all drinks and foods from the outside, including water bottles.
The tournament will feel like a typical experience, apart from you looking at the most remarkable players several feet away from you.
There are a few gift and souvenir shops to get something and remember the experience.
Who will Win?
For now, only Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic qualified for the singles tournament. If it plays out like the last time they faced each other, the 20-year-old will have the upper hand.
But Djokovic has a lifetime of experience and is entering GOAT stats. There’s still time for other players to join in the mix. Who knows, maybe an underdog will shock the tennis world!
