With the news that world No2 Andy Murray had reached his third Wimbledon final, the ATP confirmed that he has also clinched his place in the season-ending World Tour Finals at the O2 in London in November.
Murray is the second to qualify after world No1, Novak Djokovic, last month sealed the first spot during his French Open campaign, where he went on to win his first Roland Garros title.
The 29-year-old Murray will play his third consecutive Grand Slam final tomorrow afternoon against Canadian Milos Raonic, after finishing runner-up to Djokovic at both the Australian and French Opens.
It has been a strong first six months for the Briton, who helped the GB Davis Cup team to the quarter-finals with a win over Japan in February, and went on to enjoy his best ever clay season: He reached the semis at the Monte Carlo Masters, the final of the Madrid Masters and won the Rome Masters before his first run to the French Open final.
His Wimbledon preparation brought him a record fifth Aegon Championships title at the Queen’s Club, and he is also hotly tipped to win his second Wimbledon title, this third Grand Slam, in tomorrow’s title match.
This will be the ninth consecutive year that Murray has qualified for the season finale—which comprises only the eight top-ranked singles and doubles pairs—and will attempt to become the first British player to win the prestigious title. He has thus far reached the semis three times, in 2008, 2010 and 2012.
He said: “I love playing at the O2 in front of a home crowd. The support is always amazing and it’s a great tournament. I have had a good first half of the season and hope to continue that right the way through to London at the end of the year.”
Defending champion Djokovic will attempt to win a record-tying sixth title—runner-up last year, Roger Federer, also has six titles—after winning for the fourth straight year in 2015.
The World Tour Finals is the biggest indoor annual tennis event in the world, with round-robin day and night sessions comprising singles and doubles matches that run from Sunday 13 November until Friday 18 November, semi-finals on Saturday 19 November, and finals on the afternoon of Sunday 20 November. Tickets are already on sale at: http://www.barclaysatpworldtourfinals.com/en/tickets