Are ATP and WTA year-ending Finals becoming a tournament for outsiders?
The last two editions of the ATP Finals and the last four of the WTA Finals seem to have given a very strong and clear signal; the two tournaments are becoming events for outsiders.
Those are considered favorites for the title, did not win the title. There may be an explanation for this fact, but let's see what happened in the last four years for women and in the last two years for men.
In Singapore, the last four editions have been surprising. In 2015 , to general amazement, Agnieszka Radwanska won the trophy. That year, the Pole got the most important success of her career. The following season, it was Dominika Cibulkova who continued the trend, defeating the favorite Angelique Kerber in the final.
Also in 2017 there was a surprise. Caroline Wozniacki overcame all her opponents, including Venus Williams, in the final. The Dane crowned a great moment of form a few months later, at the 2018 Australian Open. Elina Svitolina is the last name to have been added.
Things have gone differently in the ATP Tour. For seven consecutive years, the tournament was dominated by Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. In 2017, there was the surprising final: David Goffin against Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian won, thanks to a display of great tennis.
Then the recent story, with Alexander Zverev unexpectedly defeating Djokovic in the final, after beating Federer in the semi-finals. At the end of a long and difficult season, the great champions seem to lose energy as the tournament reaches its conclusion.
All this could be because of physical problems, like injuries. Or this could be because of sudden loss of mental solidity. All these things can benefit outsiders, who, thanks to a week of higher level, can win one of the most important tournaments of their careers.
ALSO READ: Rafael Nadal still has no rivals on clay: not even Novak Djokovic?
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2SnEuoy
No comments