By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, November 18, 2021
The ATP Finals launched its Turin debut to largely positive reviews.
How does the first year of Turin's five-year deal as ATP Finals host compare to the glorious 12-year-run the year-end event enjoyed in London's O2 Arena?
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Contesting his fifth ATP Finals, Alexander Zverev enjoys both cities, but says Turin fans, food and locker rooms are superior to London.
"I mean, compared to London, it's very difficult to compare because it's very different," Zverev told the media in Turin. "I think London is one of the biggest cities in the world in Europe, and obviously it's just a lot bigger, you know what I mean? Where here, you know, I love the fans, I love the electricity that we have.
"I think the organization is doing everything they can to do the best job that they can. I think our locker rooms are a lot nicer here than they were in London. You know, the food is great. Obviously we are in Italy, so that is one part that no other country in the world can compare themselves to."
The Olympic gold medal champion defeated Novak Djokovic to capture the 2018 ATP Finals crown at the O2 Arena. Zverev, who will square off against Djokovic in Saturday's semifinals, said the passion Italian fans bring to the sport distinguishes Turin.
"I think both events are awesome. What makes London so special is obviously also the O2 Arena itself, because the O2 Arena is a historic arena," Zverev said. "It's just so massive. It's so big.
"But here I think what makes it special is the Italian fans, because the Italian fans are just louder. They are more electric. They're more into sports I think than the fans there were."
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