• The eight players competing in the 2020 ATP Finals in London. Click or swipe through the gallery to read the player profiles. Getty Images
    The eight players competing in the 2020 ATP Finals in London. Click or swipe through the gallery to read the player profiles. Getty Images
  • 1. Novak Djokovic (11830 points): Titles in 2020 – 4 / Prize money in 2020 – $5,976,158. Another exemplary year for the world No 1, starting with successive titles Down Under where he led Serbia to the inaugural ATP Cup, before winning a record-extending eighth Australian Open title. The Serb maintained his unbeaten run by clinching the Dubai and Western & Southern Open titles. Djokovic’s perfect season was only halted by his US Open disqualification, but he quickly bounced back by winning the Rome Masters. A five-time winner of the ATP Finals, Djokovic is aiming for a sixth title after confirming his position as year-end No 1 for a sixth time.
    1. Novak Djokovic (11830 points): Titles in 2020 – 4 / Prize money in 2020 – $5,976,158. Another exemplary year for the world No 1, starting with successive titles Down Under where he led Serbia to the inaugural ATP Cup, before winning a record-extending eighth Australian Open title. The Serb maintained his unbeaten run by clinching the Dubai and Western & Southern Open titles. Djokovic’s perfect season was only halted by his US Open disqualification, but he quickly bounced back by winning the Rome Masters. A five-time winner of the ATP Finals, Djokovic is aiming for a sixth title after confirming his position as year-end No 1 for a sixth time.
  • 2. Rafael Nadal (9850 points): Titles in 2020 – 2 / Prize money in 2020 – $3,397,127. Only played in six tournaments this season, owing mainly to the coronavirus pandemic, but Nadal still managed to lift his third trophy in Acapulco and claimed a 13th French Open title having opted to skip his US Open title defence to prepare. The Spaniard has been a near-permanent fixture in the ATP Finals for a generation, but despite being a two-time finalist, is yet to win the season-ending event. Reuters
    2. Rafael Nadal (9850 points): Titles in 2020 – 2 / Prize money in 2020 – $3,397,127. Only played in six tournaments this season, owing mainly to the coronavirus pandemic, but Nadal still managed to lift his third trophy in Acapulco and claimed a 13th French Open title having opted to skip his US Open title defence to prepare. The Spaniard has been a near-permanent fixture in the ATP Finals for a generation, but despite being a two-time finalist, is yet to win the season-ending event. Reuters
  • 3. Dominic Thiem (9125 points): Titles in 2020 – 1 / Prize money in 2020 – $5,163,876. Only one title this season for Thiem but what a big title it was as the Austrian won his maiden Grand Slam at the US Open. Also made the Australian Open final where he went down to Djokovic in five sets. Appearing at the ATP Finals for a fifth straight year, Thiem is aiming to go one better after reaching last year’s final. Getty Images
    3. Dominic Thiem (9125 points): Titles in 2020 – 1 / Prize money in 2020 – $5,163,876. Only one title this season for Thiem but what a big title it was as the Austrian won his maiden Grand Slam at the US Open. Also made the Australian Open final where he went down to Djokovic in five sets. Appearing at the ATP Finals for a fifth straight year, Thiem is aiming to go one better after reaching last year’s final. Getty Images
  • 4. Daniil Medvedev (6970 points): Titles in 2020 – 1 / Prize money in 2020 – $2,043,670. After a superb breakthrough in 2019, Medvedev was not able to hit the same heights this season but enters the ATP Finals having won the Paris Masters last time out. Returning to London for a second straight year, the Russian will hope to improve on his 2019 showing when he lost all three group matches. Getty Images
    4. Daniil Medvedev (6970 points): Titles in 2020 – 1 / Prize money in 2020 – $2,043,670. After a superb breakthrough in 2019, Medvedev was not able to hit the same heights this season but enters the ATP Finals having won the Paris Masters last time out. Returning to London for a second straight year, the Russian will hope to improve on his 2019 showing when he lost all three group matches. Getty Images
  • 5. Stefanos Tsitsipas (5925 points): Titles in 2020 – 1 / Prize money in 2020 – $1,787,232. Just the one trophy this year for the Greek, who successfully defended his Marseille Open title while reaching two further finals in Dubai and Hamburg. Tsitsipas claimed the biggest title of his career last year when he won the ATP Finals on debut. Will become the first player since Djokovic in 2015 if he retains the title. Getty Images
    5. Stefanos Tsitsipas (5925 points): Titles in 2020 – 1 / Prize money in 2020 – $1,787,232. Just the one trophy this year for the Greek, who successfully defended his Marseille Open title while reaching two further finals in Dubai and Hamburg. Tsitsipas claimed the biggest title of his career last year when he won the ATP Finals on debut. Will become the first player since Djokovic in 2015 if he retains the title. Getty Images
  • 6. Alexander Zverev (5525 points): Titles in 2020 – 2 / Prize money in 2020 – $2,949,077. Zverev claimed back-to-back titles in Cologne this season and continued his late season form by reaching the Paris Masters final. Made his big Grand Slam breakthrough by making the US Open final where he led by two sets. Won the ATP Finals in 2018. Getty Images
    6. Alexander Zverev (5525 points): Titles in 2020 – 2 / Prize money in 2020 – $2,949,077. Zverev claimed back-to-back titles in Cologne this season and continued his late season form by reaching the Paris Masters final. Made his big Grand Slam breakthrough by making the US Open final where he led by two sets. Won the ATP Finals in 2018. Getty Images
  • 7. Andrey Rublev (3919 points): Titles in 2020 – 5 / Prize money in 2020 – $1,863,487. The breakthrough year he’s been threatening to have for some time. Now injury-free, Rublev racked up five titles, in Doha, Adelaide, Hamburg, St Petersburg, and Vienna. Making his ATP Finals debut. Getty Images
    7. Andrey Rublev (3919 points): Titles in 2020 – 5 / Prize money in 2020 – $1,863,487. The breakthrough year he’s been threatening to have for some time. Now injury-free, Rublev racked up five titles, in Doha, Adelaide, Hamburg, St Petersburg, and Vienna. Making his ATP Finals debut. Getty Images
  • 8. Diego Schwartzman (3455 points): Titles in 2020 – 0 / Prize money in 2020 – $1,397,441. No titles for the Argentine this year but some fine performances, including a run to the Rome Masters final, where he beat Rafael Nadal en route, and further finals in Cologne and Cordoba. Making his ATP Finals debut. Getty Images
    8. Diego Schwartzman (3455 points): Titles in 2020 – 0 / Prize money in 2020 – $1,397,441. No titles for the Argentine this year but some fine performances, including a run to the Rome Masters final, where he beat Rafael Nadal en route, and further finals in Cologne and Cordoba. Making his ATP Finals debut. Getty Images

Tennis

ATP Finals player profiles: Novak Djokovic aims for sixth title as Rafael Nadal seeks first

Eight players compete at the season-ending tournament in London

Jon Turner

November 15, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The 2020 ATP Finals get underway in London on Sunday as the top eight male tennis players in the world compete for the prestigious title.

Qualification is based on points accumulated throughout the season. Those who qualify are then split into two groups of four in a round-robin format, meaning each player plays three group-stage matches.

The top two from each group progress to the semi-finals.

Ranking points and prize money is broken down based on wins throughout the tournament. The maximum on offer is 1,500 points and $1.564 million if a player wins the title undefeated.

This will be the last year London will host the ATP Finals having staged the tournament since 2009.

The most notable absentee from this year's edition is Roger Federer, who would have qualified in fifth position but underwent knee surgery. Diego Schwartzman, in ninth place, was therefore promoted to eighth.

The photo gallery above contains profiles on the eight players competing this week. To move on to the next profile, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

Group Tokyo 1970

Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Diego Schwartzman

Group London 2020

Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev

First round of fixtures (UAE time)

Sunday, 6pm: Dominic Thiem v Stefanos Tsitsipas

Monday, midnight: Rafael Nadal v Andrey Rublev

Monday, 6pm: Novak Djokovic v Diego Schwartzman

Tuesday, midnight: Daniil Medvedev v Alexander Zverev

Recent champions

2019: Stefanos Tsitsipas

2018: Alexander Zverev

2017: Grigor Dimitrov

2016: Andy Murray

2012-2015: Novak Djokovic

2010-2011: Roger Federer

2009: Nikolay Davydenko

While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C600rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C500-4%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.9L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh119%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tips for taking the metro

- set out well ahead of time

- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines

- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on

- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

Gulf Under 19s final

Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

How to turn your property into a holiday home
  1. Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
  2. Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
  3. Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
  4. Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
  5. Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
While you're here
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

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Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

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Price: From Dh590,000

Tennis