The 2019 ATP Finals ran from 10 to 17 November at The O2 Arena in London, the 50th staging of the men's season-ending singles and doubles championship. It closed a 12-year London residency. Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Dominic Thiem in the singles final. The competition moved to the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, starting with the 2021 staging; the 2020 edition stayed in London but played behind closed doors because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nitto Denko Corporation, a Japanese materials manufacturer, held title naming rights in 2019, a role it assumed in 2017 under a multi-year contract. The event carried the official name "Nitto ATP Finals." Nitto Denko kept its title position when the championship relocated to Turin.
The commercial architecture of the 2019 championship, detailed below, includes the roster of backers across tiers, the title holder's role, and the weight of those commercial relationships for the final edition at The O2 Arena.
Title Sponsor: Nitto Denko
Nitto Denko Corporation, a Japanese materials manufacturer, served as title backer of the 2019 ATP Finals. The company began its commitment in 2017 under a multi-year agreement. The championship was officially named the "Nitto ATP Finals." Nitto Denko's title backing continued past the London era, following the event to Turin.
The exact monetary value stayed confidential. Yet the deal was substantial enough to secure naming rights for the season-ending showcase. Nitto Denko's presence mirrored a wave of Japanese corporations investing in global sports properties. The ATP, as governing body of the men's professional circuits, managed and sold the championship's commercial rights.
Backers and Suppliers
Beyond Nitto Denko, the 2019 championship carried a roster of premium backers and suppliers. Emirates Airline was a long-standing Premier Partner of the ATP Tour and a supporter of the season finale during this period. Lacoste was the official apparel and footwear supplier. Moët & Chandon was the long-term champagne house. Rolex was the long-standing timekeeper and supporter of the ATP Tour and its crown-jewel event.
The full list of every single supplier or local-level supporter for the 2019 championship was not fully disclosed. Whether an automotive category backer existed for this edition, and whether Infiniti's prior deal had ended, was not confirmed.
Commercial Weight of the Final London Edition
A Closing Chapter at The O2
The 2019 staging was the last of a 12-year run at The O2 Arena. The championship was set to move to Turin's Pala Alpitour from 2021. This transition carried commercial consequences. Backers had to decide whether to extend their commitments beyond the London residency. Nitto Denko's title backing continued past 2019, following the event to Turin.
Unanswered Questions Around One-Year Deals
Whether any backers specifically signed a one-year contract for 2019 alone, knowing the championship was leaving London, was not disclosed.
A New Market Beckons
The relocation to Turin marked a sharp shift in market positioning. The ATP Finals had been a fixture on the London sports calendar for 12 years. Moving to Italy opened fresh commercial opportunities in a different market.
New and Renewed Agreements
No fresh backing agreements were announced specifically for the 2019 championship. The existing relationships with Nitto Denko, Emirates, Lacoste, Moët & Chandon, and Rolex continued. The specific terms and expiry dates of the contracts for Lacoste, Moët & Chandon, or Rolex as they applied to the 2019 event were not disclosed.
The ATP, as owner and organizer of the ATP Finals, managed the commercial rights. The exact breakdown of backing revenue generated by the 2019 championship for the ATP was not disclosed.
Sectors in the Portfolio
Confirmed Industries
The backers of the 2019 ATP Finals represented several sectors. Nitto Denko (materials manufacturing), Emirates (aviation), Lacoste (apparel), Moët & Chandon (champagne), and Rolex (luxury watches) covered a range of industries.
Gaps in the Roster
The presence of backers from specific sectors such as automotive, financial services, and beverages was not confirmed. The identity of the automotive category supporter for the 2019 edition, if one existed, was not established.
Premium Positioning
The backing portfolio reflected the championship's global appeal and its ability to attract premium brands. The ATP's commercial strategy aimed to secure long-term relationships that provided stability and revenue.
Conclusion
The 2019 Nitto ATP Finals concluded as scheduled on 17 November 2019 with Stefanos Tsitsipas winning the singles title. The championship's 12-year residency at The O2 Arena in London ended with this edition. The competition relocated to the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, beginning with the 2021 staging, after the 2020 edition was held in London without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nitto Denko Corporation's title backing continued beyond 2019, following the event to Turin.
The backing structure of the 2019 ATP Finals was built around a multi-year title deal with Nitto Denko and long-standing relationships with Emirates, Lacoste, Moët & Chandon, and Rolex. The championship's commercial significance was tied to its position as the final edition in London before the move to Turin.
