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Next Gen Finals draw ceremony requires apology from the ATP

By Harry Floyd

MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 05: (L-R) Andrey Rublev, Denis Shapovalov, Hyeon Chung, Gianluigi Quinzi, Daniil Medvedev, Jared Donaldson, Borna Coric and Karen Khachanov pose during the Next Gen ATP Final draw ceremony during the NextGen ATP Finals Launch Party on November 5, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 05: (L-R) Andrey Rublev, Denis Shapovalov, Hyeon Chung, Gianluigi Quinzi, Daniil Medvedev, Jared Donaldson, Borna Coric and Karen Khachanov pose during the Next Gen ATP Final draw ceremony during the NextGen ATP Finals Launch Party on November 5, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images) /
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The 2017 Next Gen Finals kicks off with a controversial beginning. The tournament’s draw ceremony results in the ATP delivering an apology.

Next Gen Finals action is setting up in Milan. The end of year tournament features the best in men’s singles tennis who are between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one.

The draw ceremony for the tournament, however, has forced an apology from the ATP.

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Both the governing body of men’s tennis, the Association of Tennis Professionals, and the tournament’s sponsor, Red Bull, issued an apology for the 2017 draw ceremony. The ceremony was accused by past players, fans, and other viewers as being sexist and at the very least poorly executed.

The Next Gen Finals takes place over the next week in Milan, Italy.

It is not the start the ATP would have liked for the end of year tournament. Rather than simply highlighting the best young players in men’s tennis, the finals must now do its best to assure a smooth rest of the week in Milan.

The ATP and Red Bull issued an apology for the execution of the draw ceremony. Highlighted within the apology is that the ceremony was “in poor taste” and was an attempt “to integrate Milan’s rich heritage as one of the fashion capitals of the world.” Tournament groups were selected by players pairing themselves up with models.

"“ATP and Red Bull apologise for the offence caused by the draw ceremony for the Next Gen ATP Finals. The intention was to integrate Milan’s rich heritage as one of the fashion capitals of the world. However, our execution of the proceedings was in poor taste and unacceptable. We deeply regret this and will ensure that there is no repeat of anything like it in the future.” – ATP and tournament sponsor statement after the draw ceremony"

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As for the tournament action in Milan, Andrey Rublev headlines a strong field of men’s singles players. The young Russian tennis player is now one of the favorites to win this week after German tennis star Alexander Zverev qualified for the ATP Finals in London.

Next: Jack Sock qualifies for ATP Finals

Zverev has had one of the best years on the 2017 ATP World Tour. While he began the year hopeful of a Next Gen Finals appearance, he has continued to impress, winning five ATP singles titles. He is now the world No. 3 in men’s singles tennis. Action at the ATP Finals in London kicks off next week at The O2 Arena. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will headline the action at the end of year tournament. Stay tuned to see how both the Next Gen and ATP Finals unfold over the course of the next two weeks.

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