ATP historical timeline shows 44 amazing years
2017
The inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals takes place in Milan, with Hyeon Chung coming out on top in the new and innovative 21-and-under event. The ATP World Tour achieves an all-time attendance record with more than 4.5 million fans attending on-site, including 253,642 at the Nitto ATP Finals.
2016
The ATP announces the launch of the Next Gen ATP Finals, set to take place in Milan from November 2017 featuring players aged 21 and under.
2015
The ATP secures an enhanced partnership with Emirates that sees the award-winning airline become the tour’s premier partner through 2020.
2014
A Business Advisory Board, consisting of select global executives, and a Legends Advisory Board of former high profile players are both formed to assist with long-term planning.
2013
The ATP Heritage Program is launched to celebrate the 40-year anniversary of the Emirates ATP Rankings and the history of the ATP, culminating with a No. 1 celebration event at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.
2012
Roger Federer broke Pete Sampras’ record of 286 weeks at No. 1 on July 16, one week after winning a record-tying seventh Wimbledon title. He remains at No. 1 for 17 weeks (302 in career).
2011
Novak Djokovic caps one of the greatest-ever tennis seasons by finishing as the year-end world No. 1. The Serb wins a career-best 10 titles, including three Grand Slam trophies.
2009
The ATP World Tour is unveiled with a simplified tour structure, featuring a new point scale for the Emirates ATP Rankings and tournament tiers of ATP World Tour Masters 1000, ATP World Tour 500 and ATP World Tour 250 events.
2008
Rafael Nadal becomes the first left-hander to finish at No. 1 since John McEnroe in 1984, in addition to becoming the first Spaniard in the history of the ATP Rankings to end the season as the world's top player.
2006
Roger Federer finishes at No. 1 for the third straight year, highlighted by an ATP-best 12 titles, culminating in victory over James Blake in the final of Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai.
2004
A new three-week Asian swing includes tournaments in Bangkok, Beijing and Tokyo.
2002
Lleyton Hewitt becomes only the fourth player to rank No. 1 for every week during the year and the seventh player to finish at No. 1 for at least two straight years in a year that sees him win the Wimbledon title.
2001
The ATP Tour changes its name to ATP for 2001, and introduces a new logo and launches its website.
2000
Brazil's Gustavo Kuerten becomes the first South American to finish at No. 1 in the history of the ATP Rankings (since 1973) in a year when he wins his second Grand Slam crown at Roland Garros.
1998
Pete Sampras of the US becomes the first player in ATP Rankings history to finish at No. 1 for six consecutive years.
1997
The ATP Senior Tour of Champions is sanctioned.
1993
The ATP Tour extends its global reach, adding Arabian Gulf tournaments in Dubai and Doha, where Germany's Boris Becker plays.
1991
The first television package for men's tennis broadcasts 19 tournaments to a worldwide audience.
1990
All Top 50 players contractually agree to play the new ATP Tour in 1990. Sponsored by IBM, the ATP Tour era begins with an equal partnership between players and tournaments.
1988
The parking lot press conference at the US Open heralds the formation of the ATP Tour.
1973
The ATP Rankings are introduced on August 23 with Romania's Ilie Nastase debuting at No. 1.
1972
The ATP's first Executive Director, Jack Kramer, is a leading force in establishing the organization.