The groupings for the 2015 ATP Finals were released this evening in London. The 8-day event played at the O2 begins on Sunday and it features the Top 8 men in the world.
“Short and sweet draw is good,” Roger Federer joked about the quick ceremony. “I’m excited to be back, can’t wait for it to start.”
The groupings:
STAN SMITH
1 Novak Djokovic (4)
3 Roger Federer (6)
6 Tomas Berdych
8 Kei Nishikori
ILIE NASTASE
2 Andy Murray
4 Stan Wawrinka
6 Rafael Nadal
7 David Ferrer
Federer (6 titles) and Novak Djokovic (4) are the only former champions in the field coming for 10 between them. And both are in the Stan Smith group.
Rafael Nadal was placed in the easier of two and with Andy Murray’s eye on Davis Cup, what an opportunity with he and Ferrer the only players in the Nastase group to have even made the finals.
ATP PLAYER CAPSULES:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
– The 28-year-old Belgrade native is making his 9th consecutive season finale appearance. Comes in as reigning 3-time champion and also won title in 2008 in Shanghai (d. Davydenko). Has won last 14 matches since falling to countryman Tipsarevic in final round robin match in 2011. Last player to win 3 straight year-end titles was Ivan Lendl from 1985-87 (no player has won 4 titles in a row).
ANDY MURRAY
– The 28-year-old Scot qualified for 8th straight year (10-9 record) and last year went 1-2 in round robin play (l. Nishikori 64 64, d. Raonic 63 75, l. Federer 60 61). It was his first appearance since ’12 (W/D in ’13 due to back surgery in September that year).
ROGER FEDERER
– The 34-year-old Swiss native is oldest player to qualify for year-end finale since Andre Agassi (35) in 2005 and comes in ranked in Top 3 for 11th time in 14 years. Last year was No. 2 and withdrew from final (vs. Djokovic) due to back injury. Went 4-0 coming into final.
STAN WAWRINKA
– The Swiss native is making his 3rd consecutive appearance at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals after reaching SF last 2 years (4-4 record).
RAFAEL NADAL
– The 29-year-old Spaniard qualified for the 11th straight year (13-11 record) and in his last appearance in 2013, reached final (l. Djokovic) after going 4-0 with wins over No. 3 Ferrer, No. 8 Wawrinka, No. 6 Berdych and No. 7 Federer. Ranked No. 1 at time (also in 2010).
TOMAS BERDYCH
– The 30-year-old Czech Republic native is making his 6th consecutive appearance in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals (6-10 record) and his best result is SF in 2011 (l. to Djokovic in opener, then beat Tipsarevic, Ferrer in RR play), losing to Tsonga.
DAVID FERRER
– The 33-year-old Spaniard, who is 2nd-oldest in singles field (behind Federer 34), has qualified for 6th time (7th overall appearance). Has an 8-11 career record and last year came in as an alternate for Raonic and played one match, losing to Nishikori 46 64 61.
KEI NISHIKORI
– The Japanese native is youngest player (25) in this year’s field and making his 2nd straight appearance in Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
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