Tennis's season finale takes centre stage in Turin

Turin is back at the net, confident it can win this match too. Unfortunately, Jannik Sinner is missing this time, but the ATP Finals remain the city's most important event of the year, alongside its International Book Fair. Since the Piedmont capital took over as host in 2021, the season-ending championship has become much more than a sporting competition. It is now part of the city's identity, a magnet for tennis fans and a symbol of the golden age Italian tennis is enjoying. A boom that has helped bring the total number of registered players and Italians playing tennis and padel to more than 6.2 million. Despite the significant absence of home favourite Jannik Sinner, who dominated the 2024 edition and reached the final against Novak Djokovic in 2023, this year's tournament promises plenty of tactical intrigue, compelling storylines and excitement. First held in 1970 as the Masters Grand Prix, the ATP Finals have represented the ultimate showdown of the tennis season for more than half a century. Only the world's eight highest-ranked players earn the right to compete for the final trophy of the year. From the eras dominated by legends such as Ivan Lendl, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer to that of record-holder Novak Djokovic, who has won seven titles, the tournament has always been a celebration of the very best. How tennis transformed Turin Illuminated fountains and domed structures in Piazza Castello, Turin, as the city celebrates the Nitto ATP Finals (lapresse) For Turin, these five years in the spotlight of indoor tennis have brought genuine international recognition, despite the difficulties of the inaugural edition during the Covid pandemic. The city has turned the tournament into a citywide celebration, with packed squares, cultural events, a Fan Village and thousands of enthusiasts arriving from around the world. If Italian tennis is enjoying unprecedented popularity, much of the credit also goes to the energy generated by the Finals in the shadow of Turin's iconic Mole Antonelliana. And, of course, to the Sinner effect. Zverev leads the field, but Alcaraz is the favourite Alexander Zverev heads the draw, having officially taken the world No. 1 ranking from Sinner in the weeks leading up to the tournament. The Finals hold special significance for the German, who has already won the title twice: in London in 2018 and in Turin in 2021. Arriving at the championship as world No. 1 makes him the man to beat, ready to rely on his consistency from the baseline and his devastating serve. Despite sitting third in the rankings, Carlos Alcaraz is still the favourite. The Spaniard has the variety of shots and explosive power to dominate on any surface, with a style of play that is more spectacular than anyone else's. Without Sinner to challenge him in the fast-paced rallies, Alcaraz is aiming to add the one major indoor trophy still missing from his collection. Cobolli carries Italian hopes Flavio Cobolli trains at the Circolo della Stampa Sporting in Turin ahead of the Nitto ATP Finals (lapresse) Italian fans will certainly not be disappointed. Flavio Cobolli is ready to carry the hopes of the home crowd, following an extraordinary season that has propelled him into the world's top ten and secured his direct qualification for the Finals. With his aggressive, athletic and electrifying tennis, the Roman is poised to become the tournament's dark horse and bring the Turin crowd to its feet. The other contenders include Daniil Medvedev, the 2020 champion and always a threat on indoor hard courts; Ben Shelton, whose lightning-fast serve has helped him enjoy a season near the top of the rankings; Arthur Fils; Frances Tiafoe; and Spanish revelation Rafael Jodar. All are ready to upset expectations and deliver a spectacle. A €590 million boost for the city For Turin, the Finals are also big business. The tournament's overall economic impact is estimated at around €590 million, almost six times the €103 million generated by the inaugural edition in 2021. Direct spending in the city – on restaurants, hotels, transport and shopping – amounts to approximately €99 million. The Italian state also benefits considerably. Tax revenues exceed €92 million, against a public contribution of around €13.7 million, leaving a substantial positive balance. The event generates and sustains more than 4,100 jobs, with approximately €115 million in employment income supporting households. And the arena is always packed, with or without Sinner. Between 200,000 and 230,000 tickets are sold over the tournament, running from today until 22 November, while hotels are reporting 98 per cent occupancy. For all these reasons, Turin has already won. This article was reviewed by an external translation partner