London will no longer host the ATP Finals but a new generation of champions flourished in the O2 Arena

As time has aged the three greatest male players in history, the ATP Finals became significant not so much in stature but as a window into the future, writes Tom Kershaw

Daniil Medvedev believes his generation of tennis stars have to keep the pressure on the ‘Big Three’ (EPA)

It was the end of an era at London’s O2 Arena, which was hosting the ATP Finals – a war of attrition between the world’s best players’ tired bodies and minds – for a 12th and final time this month.

When the tournament first arrived in London in 2009, tennis orbited solely around its “Big Three”, the living deities who’ve stretched the sport’s limits in every direction. Roger Federer won his fifth and sixth ATP Finals here in 2010 and 2011 with art and precision; Novak Djokovic lifted the next four in succession with relentless endurance; Rafael Nadal frequently pulled out – his power leading to an inevitable build-up of injuries – and each time a piece of the event’s gloss was lost with his departure.  

Around the world, tennis tournaments became a matter of routine. On those rare occasions when a player breached the stranglehold – be it Andy Murray or Stan Wawrinka – the magnitude was seismic and celebrations would be wrought with emotion, shock and even awe. But as time has aged the three greatest male players in history, the ATP Finals became significant not so much in stature but as a window into the future.

In the last four editions in London, only Djokovic made it to the final. Its past three winners – Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and, on Sunday, Daniil Medvedev – average just 23 years in age. When Medvedev walked nonchalantly to the net before lifting the trophy, there was no absence of passion, purely a diminished sense of surprise.  

The Russian had been imperious all last week, bludgeoning Djokovic into submission and fighting back from the brink against Nadal. His opponent in Sunday’s final, Dominic Thiem, won his first Grand Slam at the US Open in September. After a decade of false dawns, the sport has now irrevocably entered a new chapter.  

That’s not only hugely exciting for fans but for journalists, too. For many covering the sport, we have only ever known tennis with the Big Three at its peak. Perhaps this new era brings with it more uncertainty and unpredictability, undoubtedly a good thing for any storyteller after a decade of near status quo at the very top of the sport.

So while London’s own tale was brought to a close, it will always be remembered as the launchpad for where the next generation finally found its feet. “I think it’s super for tennis,” Medvedev said. “We are starting to make our marks.”

Yours,

Tom Kershaw

Sports reporter