London faces competition from 40 cities to keep ATP Finals in capital beyond 2020

London faces competition from as many as 40 cities in its bid to carry on hosting the end-of-season ATP Finals.

Next month will mark the 10th year that the men’s season’s final has been played at the O2, and the venue’s contract runs until 2020.

But a new bidding process opened in August with 40 separate cities from a total of 29 countries across the globe having expressed an interest in hosting the tournament.

The host cities need to officially submit their applications by next month with a shortlist of between three and five announced in December.

Because of the success of the event in London, which has boasted record sell-out crowds through its afternoon and evening sessions, the capital is still thought to be in the reckoning to stage the tournamant beyond 2020.

The ATP has to weigh up a number of options. London’s success has been built on its crowds but the ATP could, for example, opt to chase a lucrative deal from Middle East bidders.

The leading players on tour have also been consulted during the process with some keen to stay in London because of the atmosphere while others feel the time has come for a shift to an entirely new city.

Grigor Dimitrov is the reigning champion, beating David Goffin in three sets in last year’s final.