The Masters Cup Tennis Tournament

The Masters Cup is an annual tennis tournament. It is contested at the end of every year. The top 8 players in men’s tennis world rankings participate in the tournament. The tournament started in the year 1970.

Originally, the tournament was known as the Masters tournament. It was contested by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). This tournament was just like a year-end showpiece event between the best male players. It was not considered for the points in the world ranking.

In 1990, the tournament went under the possession of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). The name was changed to the ATP Tour World Championship. After that, the tournament was considered for the world ranking points. The winner earned the same points as in four Grand Slam events.

The ITF started a new year-end event called as the Grand Slam Cup. It was contested between 16 players holding the best records in the Grand Slam competitions in that year.

In December 1999, the ATP and the ITF decided to create a new jointly-owned event instead of two separate events. That new event was known as the Tennis Masters Cup. Just like the previous tournament, a total of 8 players take part in the Tennis Masters Cup. According the rules of the Tennis Masters Cup, the player having the 8th rank in the ATP Champion’s Race world rankings is not sure to get the entry in the tournament. If a player, winning one of the Grand Slams in the year is within top 20 players, then he would be selected for the Tennis Masters Cup instead of the eight-ranked player.

Format of the Masters Cup

The Masters Cup is not played in the straightforward knock-out format like other tournaments. The participating 8 players are divided into two groups. Each group includes four players. Every player plays against other three players in his group in three Round-Robin matches. Two successful players advance to the semifinals. The winners in the semifinals move forward to the final. The winner in the final is declared as the champion.

Previously, the doubles competition was contested one week after the singles tournament. Now a day, both the events are held together at the same time and venue. Just like the singles competition, the most successful eight teams take part in the tournament. Each team plays three Round-Robin matches with other teams in the group.

Players Record

Pete Sampras from United States and Ivan Lendl from Czechoslovakia are the most successful players in the Masters Cup. They have the title five times. Romania’s Ilie Nastase has won the title four times. Switzerland’s Roger Federer, Germany’s Boris Becker and John McEnroe won the trophy thrice each.

Germany’s Michael Stich, Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt won the tournament undefeated. Ivan Lendle and Ilie Nastase won the most consecutive titles. The players who had won back to back titles are Romania’s Ilie Nastase, Czechoslovakia’s Ivan Lendl, Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt, America’s Pete Sampras, Switzerland’s Roger Federer etc.